MOSCOW (Sputnik) – India has successfully test-fired a long range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) system designed to protect ships from aircraft, missile and rocket attacks, which it developed jointly with Israel, the Indian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
Indian Navy achieves a significant milestone in enhancing its anti missile defence capability.(1/4) pic.twitter.com/eCqaVYql7n
— DPR (@SpokespersonMoD) 30 декабря 2015
Successfully test fires long range surface to air missiles from INS Kolkata. Aerial targets destroyed at extended ranges. (2/4)
— DPR (@SpokespersonMoD) 30 декабря 2015
The LRSAM destroyed aerial targets at extended ranges, making a "quantum jump in air defense capability" of the joint Indian-Israeli effort, the ministry noted.
The system dubbed Barak 8 completed three readiness tests, state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) manufacturer Chief Executive Yossi Weiss said, as cited by the Jerusalem Post.
Photos of test firing of LR-SAMs. pic.twitter.com/kHOFsOVJ3K
— DPR (@SpokespersonMoD) 30 декабря 2015
The publication cited IAI Corporate Vice President Boaz Levi as saying that the system could detect threats at over 62 miles, continues to receive data from the radar system once airborne, and enabled the missile to adjust its own path before engaging a target.
In addition to the missile with a 20-120 kilometer (12-75 miles) range, the Barak 8 includes a four-plane Multi-Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF STAR).
The Indian Defense Ministry said the systems were being fitted in "capital warships progressively".
Israel last test-fired the Barak 8 late in November, intercepting a small drone acting as an enemy aircraft.
