ARIE EGOZI / TEL AVIV
The Indian navy is negotiating the purchase of additional Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Barak ship point-defence missile systems. The deal, worth $100 million, would follow the $200 million contract signed in 1999 and a further $60 million deal agreed more recently.
The contract will complete the first phase of deployment of the Barak to India, which has stepped up its efforts to buy military equipment from Israel in a major drive to upgrade its weapons capabilities.
The Barak is designed to provide 360º defence against sea-skimming missiles, cruise missiles, smart bombs and fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft. It features a vertical launcher, command-to-line-of-sight guidance, all-weather day/night operation and an intercept range from a minimum 500m (1,650ft) to 10km (5nm).
IAI is also offering India the air-launched version of the Gabriel Mk3 air-launched anti-ship missile. In October, India signed a deal for three IAI Phalcon airborne early-warning systems, to be mounted on Ilyushin Il-76s, and it is to purchase IAI unmanned air vehicles.
The Rafael Spice guidance kit for iron bombs has been procured by the Israeli air force and is now part of the weapon systems carried by its Lockheed Martin F-16s. The kit transforms bombs into precision strike weapons with a stand-off range exceeding 50km.Source: Flight International
