The Indian navy is close to concluding a deal to upgrade its 17 BAE Systems Sea Harrier FRS51 carrierborne fighters, with the integration of Rafael's Derby beyond visual-range air-to-air missile at the heart of the project. The navy expects to shortly sign a $25 million contract for 20 Derby missiles, plus six practice rounds and associated equipment in a deal that will represent the Israeli firm's first sale of the radar-guided weapon to India.
The navy's planned acquisition of Derby missiles will form part of a mid-life update to its Sea Harrier fleet, which will be conducted by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL). The Bangalore-based company is close to concluding discussions with the service to upgrade the aircraft, says HAL chairman Ashok Baweja.
Rafael's wider campaign to sell its Derby and short-range, infrared-guided Python 5 missiles to the Indian armed forces received a further boost earlier this month, when it conducted a successful ground-launched demonstration of the weapons against unmanned air vehicle targets in Israel.
India is evaluating hybrid air defence systems including the Rafael/Israel Aircraft Industries Spyder and MBDA's vertically launched VL-Mica to meet a low-level air defence requirement for its air force and army. MBDA says it will demonstrate the VL-Mica - which uses unmodified Mica air-to-air missiles - to the Indian military in France later this month.
Source: Flight International
