Tel Aviv: Even as the chief of Indian Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor, continues a four day visit to Israel comes unconfirmed news that both countries have formalised a $1.1 billion agreement under which Israel will supply an up-graded tactical air defence system to India, with delivery expected by 2017. The agreement was disclosed by Israeli officials.

The sale consolidates Israel's position as the leading arms supplier to India.

Barak-8 missile

To be developed in conjunction with state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd and the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Barak 8 Air and Missile Defence (AMD) system is a derivative of an earlier naval design already in service with the Indian and Israeli navies.

While the earlier version, dubbed the Barak NG, was a ship-borne version the new Barak 8 is primarily a land-based missile that can be deployed against incoming missiles, aircraft and drones.

The Barak 8 contract was initialled in April this year.

Delivery of the systems will take place "over the next six to eight years" and may be expected to deploy at the earliest in 2017.

Barak 8

Israel Aerospace Industries describes the Barak 8 Air and Missile Defence (AMD) system as an advanced all-weather, day/night system capable of multiple simultaneous engagements in complex scenarios. The AMD provides a 360° defence against a wide variety of airborne platforms and munitions from short and medium ranges.

The land-based system is based on the Naval Barak 8 AMD system that has been sold to the Israeli Navy and to foreign customers.

Itzhak Nissan, IAI's president and CEO said: "We are very proud of the Barak 8 AMD system. IAI employed its technological and experiential knowledge – based on both the Naval Barak 8 AMD system, and on its four decades of work in the aerospace field – to reach this significant accomplishment. The system is composed of a combination of IAI-manufactured products, creating a powerful system which can be a cornerstone to any defence plan."

The Barak 8 AMD system includes a unique battle management, command, control, communication and intelligence centre (BMC4I); an interceptor; and a Land-Based Multi-Function Surveillance, Track & Guidance Radar (LB-MF-STAR). The BMC4I, produced by the MBT Division of IAI's Missiles, Systems, and Space Group, offers both stand-alone operation for a single fire unit, and joint task force coordination (JTC).

The JTC mode allows for the synergy of all available resources, giving the user maximum operational flexibility.

The Barak 8 interceptor, developed in collaboration with RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., can intercept at short and medium ranges. It is dual pulsed and has an advanced seeker, providing all-weather, day/night engagements in complex saturation scenarios. The interceptor is vertically launched from a mobile ground launcher.

The LB-MF-STAR, produced by ELTA Systems Ltd., IAI's group and wholly owned subsidiary, supports air defence missions and guides AMD weapon systems. It can deliver an accurate, high quality arena situation picture and extract low Radar Cross Section (RCS) targets even in the toughest environmental conditions.

The LB-MF-STAR is a digital Active Electronic Steering Array (AESA) Radar System which incorporates new, advanced technologies and includes one rotating S-band Phased Array Antenna.