Defense Technology International Magazine April 2011

Plans are underway to test-fire the Barak 8 surface-to-air naval missile in India this year. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) are jointly developing this version of the weapon. The Barak 8 (the name means lightning in Hebrew) is on schedule to complete testing and be integrated on board the first Israeli and Indian combat vessels by 2012. After entering service, the system will continue with development and phased improvements before achieving full operational capability. The weapon is designed to protect vessels from aircraft and sea-skimming missiles (for a report on developments in antiship missiles, see p. 41). It will reportedly be effective against supersonic and low-altitude threats, and capable of targeting platforms with low radar signatures. The system is also designed to engage multiple targets simultaneously.