Long-Range Surface-To-Air Missile, Developed Jointly With Israel, Handed Over To Indian Navy

The first Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM), developed jointly by India and Isreal and manufactured in Hyderabad, has been handed over to the Indian Navy by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, The Jerusalem Post has reported.

The missile system, also called Barak-8 naval air defence system, has been jointly developed by the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel's Israel Aircraft Industry (IAI) and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems.

The system, manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited as a part of a $630 million contract signed with the Israeli firms, will provides ultimate protection against a variety of aerial, naval and air borne threats to Indian Navy ships. The missile system has been successfully tested by the Indian Navy.

The 4.5 meter long missile weighs around 2.7 tonne and can carry a payload of 60 kg. Apart from the missile, the system includes a Multi-Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar for detection, tracking and guidance of the missile.

The missiles are fitted on-board the Kolkata Class Destroyers and would also be fitted on all future major warships of the Indian Navy. It will provide the Indian Navy ships with the capability to neutralise any aerial threats at extended ranges.