Barak (Hebrew: ברק, lightning) is an Israeli surface-to-air missile (SAM) designed to be used as a ship-borne point-defense missile system against aircraft, anti-ship missiles, and UAVs.
| Barak I | |
|---|---|
 Barak 1 | |
| Type | Short range surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) & Rafael Advanced Defense Systems |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 98 kg (216 lb)[1] |
| Length | 2.1 m (6.9 ft)[1] |
| Diameter | 170 mm (6.7 in)[1] |
| Wingspan | 685 mm (27.0 in)[1] |
| Warhead | 22 kg (49 lb)[1] blast fragmentation warhead |
Detonation mechanism | Proximity fuse[1] |
Operational range | 0.5–12 km (0.3–7.5 mi)[1] |
| Flight altitude | 5.5 km (18,000 ft)[1] |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.1 (720 m/s (1,600 mph))[1] |
Guidance system | Radar CLOS guidance |
Launch platform | Surface Ship |
Design
editThe Barak SAM system is designed to replace or complement gun-based CIWS platforms, such as the Phalanx CIWS, with a more flexible and longer-range SAM. The missiles are mounted in an eight cell container (which requires little maintenance) and are launched straight up. The Barak SAM system's launcher uses a compact vertical launching system, with an 8-cell module weighing 1,700 kg (3,700 lb). Fire control is provided by an equally compact C3I system that weighs 1,300 kg (2,900 lb), which can either operate independently or in conjunction with other on-board sensors. Its C3I radar system provides 360-degree coverage and the missiles can take down an incoming missile as close as 500 metres (1,600 ft) away from the ship. Each Barak system (missile container, radar, computers and installation) costs about $24 million.
The system is designed to defend against aircraft and anti-ship missiles, including sea-skimming missiles.[2]
Flight test
editThe missile was tested on 24 March 2017 by the Indian Navy from INS Vikramaditya during Operation Readiness Inspection in the Arabian Sea.[3][4][5]
Operators
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Chile - Chilean frigate Almirante Williams[6]
India -
Indian Navy: Total 15 warships of which 11 are operational, includes:
- INS Vikramaditya (Aircraft Carrier)[7]
- INS Viraat (Aircraft Carrier) -- decommissioned[8]
- Delhi-class destroyer
- Rajput-class destroyer -- INS Ranvir, INS Ranvijay
- Shivalik-class frigate[8]
- Brahmaputra-class frigate
- Godavari-class frigate (decommissioned)
Israel[6]
Singapore[6]
Indian Barak Missile scandal
editOn 23 October 2000, contracts were signed between the Government of India to procure seven Barak 1 systems for a $199.50 million and 200 missiles for $69.13 million reportedly over the objections of various groups, including A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the head of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. While some objections were of a procedural nature, Indian Navy chief Admiral Sushil Kumar was investigated for why the objections that the deal was overpriced and processed on a single-tender basis were not considered.[2]
On 24 December 2013, after investigating for more than seven years, the Central Bureau of Investigation closed the case and filed a report in court that it did not find any evidence on the allegations.[9][10][11] A day before, on 23 December, Minister of Defence A. K. Antony approved the procurement of an additional 262 Barak 1 missiles for ₹880 crore (US$105 million).[8][12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Barak missile" (PDF). Rafael.co.il. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ a b Venkatesan, V. "Dubious deal". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 December 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ Connolly, Amy R. (25 March 2017). "Indian navy successfully test fires surface-to-air missile from aircraft carrier". UPI. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
- ^ "Indian Navy fires SAM Missile system from aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya". Daily News & Analysis. 24 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
- ^ Bedi, Rahul (30 March 2017). "Indian Navy launches Barak-1 from carrier". Janes. Archived from the original on 2 June 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ a b c "Israel Missile Chronology" (PDF). Nuclear Threat Initiative. January 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 October 2023.
- ^ Bhatnagar, Gaurav Vivek (24 December 2013). "Four major acquisitions for the Navy and the Army approved". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 December 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- ^ a b c Pandit, Rajat (23 December 2013). "Defence ministry finally clears Barak missile deal with Israel". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ^ "CBI files closure report". Firstpost. 24 December 2013. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- ^ "CBI files closure report in Barak missile deal". Business Standard. 24 December 2013. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- ^ Sharan, Abhishek (21 December 2013). "Israel rejects bribery charge, Barak missile probe may end". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Government clears way for Israeli-made Barak missiles". DNA India. 24 December 2013. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
External links
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