After signing a $2 billion deal last month, the Israel Aerospace Industries strikes another deal to supply the Indian army with the naval version of the aerial defense system Barak 8 for four Indian Navy ships, expanding on the defense cooperation between the two nations.
The Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced Sunday it has signed a $630 million deal with the Indian state-owned aerospace and defense company Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
As part of the deal, the IAI will provide BEL with the naval version of the aerial defense system Barak 8 for four Indian Navy ships.
Barak 8 aerial defense system
India successfully conducted a test of the missile system before the deal's signing. After the target was launched, the MF-STAR surveillance track and guidance radar installed on the Indian Navy ship the INS Kochi identified the threat and tracked it on its flight path. The data was then transferred to the weapon control center that launched the intercepting missile at the target.
According to the IAI, the missile was properly launched and steered itself towards the trajectory of its target. During its flight, the missile located its target using its homing system, adjusted its flight course accordingly, and successfully made contact and destroyed it.
The deal was part of the "Make in India" initiative by the Indian government to encourage national and multi-national companies to manufacture their products in India. BEL will be used as the main contractor for the project.