Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is developing a new ground-based point-defence system based on the Barak shipborne missile that could be capable of intercepting long-range ballistic missiles in their final re-entry phase.
The Barak missile was developed by Rafael, but IAI subsidiary Elta has been responsible for integrating the system for shipborne use by customers India and Singapore.
IAI will not release details of the advanced variant of the Barak, but it is known that the company has been developing the so-called B-8 version for some time. Sources say that the missile has a much longer range than the current Barak, and better immunity against countermeasures. The company also will not disclose details of any negotiations with potential customers for the ground-based Barak, although it is thought likely that India is already evaluating the system.
In a related development, IAI's Arrow 2 anti-ballistic missile on 16 December intercepted and destroyed a Black Sparrow air-launched target during the sixth test of the complete Arrow 2 system from the Israel air force battery at Palmachim airbase.
Launched from a Boeing F-15 fighter, the Black Sparrow was successfully engaged at the highest altitude yet achieved by the Arrow 2 system during the test.
Source: Flight International
