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Missiles‎ > ‎Air Defense Missiles‎ > ‎

Barak-8 / MR-SAM / LR-SAM

Barak-8 / LR-SAM
Barak-8 / LR-SAM

At a Glance

Barak 8


Introduction

Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) has undertaken joint development the Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) for Indian navy and Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) for Indian Air Force with M/s Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), Israel.

The cost of project for LRSAM is Rs. 2606.02 crore and cost of project for MRSAM is Rs. 10075 crore. [via Press Information Bureau] 

The Indian Army has also shown interest in the missile that is also referred to as Barak-2 / Barak-8.

Development History

During the visit of the Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash to Israel in July 2005, Israel offered to develop the next generation Barak-II ship defense missiles jointly with DRDO. The issue was discussed during the Naval Commanders’ Conference in November 2005.

India and Israel reportedly inked a deal valued at $350 million on 27 Jan 2006 to co-develop a medium range version of Barak missile over the next 5 years. Both the nations agreed to hold a 50/50 stake in the venture with additional funds being pumped in by both parties as needed.

Barak-8 Joint Development


On February 27, 2009 India signed a $1.4 billion defense contract with Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) to co-develop an Air Defense System for the IAF and Indian Navy. 

The contract includes a 30 percent offset clause under which Israel will procure military or aviation products and services from India, and invest in Indian defense companies. Under this clause IAI will make purchases from Mumbai based Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) which will partner with IAI to develop missiles, drones, radars, electronic warfare systems and homeland security systems – all areas of Israeli defense industry specialization.

IAI announced the deal on March 26, 2009 to Israeli business daily Globes, after having received advance payment. 

India is making part payment on the deal during the development period, and the balance during the 66-month delivery period, which is slated to begin 90 months from the date the advance payment is received.

Two missiles will be developed under the project - MR-SAM to replace the SAM-3 Pechora AD missiles of the IAF, and LR-SAM for the Indian Navy to equip its new warships.

Deliveries are expected to start in 2017.



LRSAM / MRSAM at Aero India 2011 Bengaluru
LRSAM / MRSAM at Aero India 2011 Bengaluru. Photo Credit: Vijainder K Thakur

Barak-8 / LR-SAM for Indian Navy 

The LR-SAM will be the successor to the Barak missile that currently equips many Navy ships.

The Barak missile has a range of 10-15 km and can successfully engage current generation of anti-ship missiles such as the Harpoon and the Exocet. 

The LR-SAM will be more maneuverable and capable of engaging next generation of anti-ship missiles.

The LR-SAM is earmarked to equip Project 17A (N11356) Stealth Frigates and Project 15A Kolkata Class destroyers of the Indian Navy.

In the first phase, the missile  will arm the three Kolkata-class destroyers being built at Mazagon Docks for Rs 11,662 crore. 

Each ship will have four vertical launch units (VLUs), each housing eight missiles. The combat suites of both vessel classes will be built around the Elta  EL/M-2248 MF-STAR.

MR-SAM for IAF

The MR-SAM is identical to LR-SAM, but uses a different ground infrastructure. 

The IAF contract is for 18 fire units (each equipped with 24 missiles). A fire unit comprises a radar, three missile launchers, and a sophisticated Combat Management System. 

According to the contract, delivery is to be completed by October 2016. 

Technical Specifications

The Braak-8 missile system features a vertically launched active radar seeker missile with flexible dual pulse smokeless solid fuel motor that provides high maneuver capability at target interception range throughout the missile's wide envelope. 

The missile provides all-weather, day/night engagements in complex saturation scenarios. The interceptor is vertically launched from a mobile ground launcher.

The missile's high agility is provided by a tungsten jet vane system for thrust vector control and a highly evolved electro-pneumatic control actuation system. 

The missile is believed to have a range of 70 / 80 km and a ceiling of 16 km

The missile launcher comprises an eight-round module, three or more of which could make up a typical system.  

The system is supported by the new EL/M-2258 Alpha Multi-Function Surveillance, Track & Guidance Radar (MF-STAR). The Active Electronic Steering Array (AESA) Radar System which includes single face rotating S-band Phased Array Antenna.

It uses the same S-band transmit/receive modules as the four-face, static EL/M-2248 developed for the Barak 8 system, but is a single-face radar with both mechanical and electronic scanning in azimuth.

It can deliver an accurate, high quality arena situation picture and discern low Radar Cross Section (RCS) targets even in the toughest environmental conditions (Heavy jamming and dense clutter) using pulse Doppler techniques, multiple beam forming and advanced high-PRF waveforms.

According to Elta, MF-STAR is able to initiate tracks against sea-skimming missiles at ranges in excess of 25 km, and out to more than 250 km for a high-flying combat aircraft. It provides mid-course guidance to the Barak-8 missile till its active homing takes over.

The weapon system can engage 12 targets with 24 missiles.

DRDO / RAFAEL Work Split


DRDO

Two Pulse Rocket Motor
Pneumatic Actuation System
Safe & Arm for Rocket Motor

RAFAEL

Multi-function Phased Array Radar
Missile Seeker

Barak-8 missile on display at Aero India 2011
Barak-8 missile on display at Aero India 2011. Photo Copyright © Vijainder K Thakur

Project Status


Control navigation tests (CNTs) of the LR-SAM were conducted in Israel on July 16 & 18, 2012.

Sources told Indian Express, "We are excited about the test results as both the front and rear servo actuation systems performed as expected. The launcher performance and the critical vertical launch process were also achieved."

"We are developing a new weapon and there were some hiccups, which we have overcome now. The completion of CNTs shifts the focus to home-on-target tests and subsequent delivery of the LR-SAM systems to Indian Navy," the sources added.

Final validation tests are expected to begin in India by early 2013, followed user trials from ships.

In April 2012, DRDO Chief VK Saraswat told India Today that following the first successful trial of the LR-SAM in 2010, DRDO decided to completely change the missile configuration. A test of the modified missile is planned in Israel in June 2012. 

The missile system has already been integrated into the first P15A warship (the INS Kolkata, being built at Mazagon Docks Ltd, Mumbai).

On April 18, Saraswat told the press that the June test would be "followed by a series of tests in 2013. The missile was expected to be inducted in 2014."

"The Medium Range Surface-to-air Missile would be ready by 2015," he added.

On November 16, 2011, a DRDO official told  PTI that a system test of the MR-SAM version of the missile is planned early next year.

"The missile will be test-fired by January or February next year in Israel," a senior DRDO official said.

The test will involve the entire support system of the missile. 

On July 16, 2010, it was reported that the missile would be test fired for the first time in India at the Integrated Test Range before November, 2010.

Scientists and engineers from DRDL were in Israel for the missile's first test flight earlier this year.

On May 29, 2010, Saraswat told India Today  that the MR-SAM was "fired at an electronic target and met with its initial objectives." 

"We will deliver the system to the armed forces in 2013. I am very confident it will be an astounding success," Dr Saraswat said. 

According to naval officials, a 100-km range theater defense version called the Extended Range SAM is being developed for the four Project 15B destroyers.

Test Schedule

India and Israel plan to conduct a total of 8 tests of the missile before offering it to the services for induction. 

After initial tests in Israel, there will be 2-3 tests of the missile in Inida.

Barak-8 Manufacture

In December 2012, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Bharat Electronics (BEL) singed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the manufacture of Barak-8 missiles.

Under the MoU, BEL will function as the lead integrator and produce major subsystems for the Barak-8. IAI will continue to act as the design authority and to produce other subsystems as a main subcontractor to the Indian firm.

Past News

The Indian Army Chief, General Kapoor visited Israel for four days from November 7 - 10 2009. During the visit, he is reported to have confirmed India's intent to go ahead with the Barak 8 deal despite the currently underway CBI investigation.

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