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 | |
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![]() Barak 1 | |
Type | Short range surface-to-air missile |
Place of origin | Israel |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Israel Aerospace Industries & 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] |
Warhead | 22 kg (49 lb)[1] blast fragmentation warhead |
Detonation mechanism | Proximity fuse[1] |
Wingspan | 685 mm (27.0 in)[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 |
The 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]
The 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][6]
The alleged Indian Barak missile purchase controversy was mainly due to allegations of defense industry corruption, and also due to allegations that the deal was over-priced and processed on a single-tender basis. By 2013, the allegations were unproven and the investigations were inconclusive due to lack of evidence, and the case is likely to be closed.[2][9]
The investigation of the allegations began in 2006, and were done by the Central Bureau of Investigation, which arrested several people including the former Samata Party treasurer R.K. Jain. On 23 December 2013, India's Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defense Minister AK Antony cleared a second order of 262 Barak-I missiles for ₹880 crore (US$110 million).[7]
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) aircraft and missiles | |
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Fighter aircraft | |
Other military aircraft | |
Business jets |
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UAVs | |
Loitering Munitions | |
Missiles | |
[1] Under license from Fouga. [2] Joint venture with RUAG. [3] Joint venture with Rafael. [4] Joint venture with DRDO. [5] Joint venture with Boeing. |
Military equipment produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | ||
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Missiles, rockets, and projectiles | ![]() | |
Remote weapon stations |
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Air-defense systems |
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Surface vehicles |
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Miscellaneous |
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1 Joint venture with IAI. 2 Joint venture with DSTA. 3 Joint venture with Raytheon. 4 Joint venture with Hatehof. 5 Joint venture with Northrop Grumman. |