Barak 8 launcher
Photo: IAI
IAI wins $777 million India contract for missile defense
State-owned Israel Aerospace Industries signs additional contract to supply 7 Indian navy ships with LRSAM air and missile defense systems, also known as Barak 8; 'India is a major market for IAI and we plan to reinforce our positioning in India,' says IAI chief executive officer.
State-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has won an additional $777 million contract to supply LRSAM air and missile defense systems to seven ships in the Indian navy, the company said on Wednesday.
The contract is with India’s state-owned Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), which is the main contractor in the project, IAI said.
The LRSAM, part of the Barak 8 family, is an air and missile defense system used by Israel’s navy as well as India’s navy, air and land forces.
(Photo: IAI)
“IAI’s partnership with India dates many years back and has culminated in joint system development and production,” IAI Chief Executive Officer Nimrod Sheffer said. “India is a major market for IAI and we plan to ... reinforce our positioning in India, also in view of increasing competition.”
India tests Barak 8 (באדיבות משרד ההגנה ההודי)
Israel’s and India’s leaders have pledged to deepen ties and the countries have been increasing cooperation in fields like agriculture and advanced technologies. Israel is also emerging as one of India’s biggest suppliers of weapons, alongside the United States and long-term partner Russia.
Last year, IAI struck a deal worth almost $2 billion to supply India’s army and navy with missile defense systems. This was followed by a $630 million contract with BEL to supply Barak 8 surface-to-air missile systems for four ships in the Indian navy.
The Barak 8 was developed by IAI in collaboration with Israel’s Defense Ministry, India’s Defense Research and Development Organization, the navies of both countries, Israel’s Rafael and local industries in India and Israel.
