WATCH: IAI carries out successful trial of Barak 8 air and missile defense system

Barak-8 is being jointly developed by India's Defense Research and Development Organization.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Successful trial of Barak 8 air and missile defense system
Israel Aerospace Industries announced on Monday a successful trial of its Barak 8 Air and Missile Defense System after it shot down a target that simulated an incoming hostile aircraft.
The trial, conducted in collaboration with the Defense Ministry, tested the next generation of defenses currently being installed on Israel Navy ships to protect them from a variety of threats, including the Yakhont surface-to-sea guided missiles in the possession of Hezbollah.
The Barak 8 is being jointly developed with India’s Defense Research and Development Organization. It will also be deployed by the Indian Defense Forces.
“The current test validated all components of the weapon system to the satisfaction of the customer representatives,” IAI said in a statement. Israeli specialists and Indian scientists, including Defense Ministry and Defense Research and Development Organization representatives, participated in the test, along with both countries’ armed forces officers.
Joseph Weiss, IAI’s president and CEO, was present at the test site.
“The system’s impressive, advanced capabilities, proven today in this complex test, are another testimony of IAI’s resilience, advanced and groundbreaking capabilities,” Weiss said. “Barak 8... is a major growth engine for the company.”
Boaz Levi, executive vice president and general manager for IAI’s Systems, Missiles & Space Group, said it was the first trial involving a full operational scenario.
After being detected by the Barak 8 radar, the system calculated the optimal interception point, launched the missile into its operational trajectory and successfully intercepted the target. All the weapon system’s components met the test’s goals successfully, Levi said.
“The radar tracked the target, and at the right moment the system went into action,” he continued.
“It built up an operational scenario and the mission missile was fired at the right time. It received updates throughout its trajectory.
It then opened its eye and acquired the target through an independent sensor, destroying it completely,” he added.
“We are moving toward systematic production of the Barak 8,” he said.
In addition to IAI, which is the prime contractor, the Barak 8 project involves ELTA Systems Ltd., an IAI subsidiary that produces the system’s radars, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which manufactures the missile.
Barak 8 employs a state-of-the-art phased array multi-mission radar, a two-way data link and a flexible command and control system, according to IAI. It has been under development for several years, and Monday’s trial was the latest in a series of tests.