Latest news with #Barak-8
India.com
2 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Is India's good friend cheating it over jointly developed air defense system? The friend is..., it is selling DRDO's...,
New Delhi: India and Israel have had a strong defense partnership for the last several decades. But this is the first time that questions have been raised on the intentions of the friendly country. Allegations are being made that Israel is marketing and trying to sell this air defense system alone, which it had made in collaboration with India's DRDO. What is the advanced air defense system in question? Barak-8 is an advanced air defense system. This is the same system that intercepted and shot down a Pakistani missile in the sky in Sirsa, Haryana. It has been developed jointly by India's DRDO and Israeli company Israel Aerospace Industries. According to the latest reports, Israel is now trying to sell this missile to some countries of the world by giving it a new name of 'Barak-MX'. Barak-8 was an important milestone in the strategic relations between the two countries, but Israel's attempt to sell this missile alone is going to trouble India. Why could it affect DRDO's credibility? A website named has claimed that Israel has not included the technology developed by DRDO in the export variant of Barak-8 air defense system. Especially the dual pulse rocket motor has not been included by Israel in the variant being sold. Israel's attempt to do so hurts the hard work of DRDO, its capability and the name it is building in the defense sector as it has made many weapons based on indigenous technology for India. What is the contribution of Indian entities in this project? India started this project in 2006 with Israel at an initial cost of Rs 2500 crore with an aim developing advanced air defense systems for both countries. This air defense system was designed to intercept ballistic missiles, advanced drones, cruise missiles and fighter aircraft up to the fourth generation. Major Indian defense companies including Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) were involved in the production of essential parts of this system. In collaboration with Israel, India has developed an advanced air defense system, which has also proved its capability by shooting down the Pakistani ballistic missile Fateh-2 in the air. DRDO developed a special dual-pulse rocket motor for the Barak air defense system which gives the missile fired from this air defense system the ability to maintain its speed and change direction suddenly until it hits the target. Israel also got a huge defense market like India for this missile defense system. Why is Israel selling this system unilaterally under a different name? Despite this, Israel is selling this system unilaterally under the name 'Barak MX' for which it has signed a deal with Azerbaijan for 12 Barak air defense systems. In 2022, Israel had signed a deal worth $ 500 million with Morocco. The main point of contention is that the Barak air defense systems that Israel is selling do not have dual-pulse rocket motors, which have been developed by DRDO. Reportedly, Israel is talking to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) about the sale of Barak defense systems. Is Israel trying to bypass India? According to by using its propulsion system in the export model of the Barak Defense System, Israel is bypassing the help that India has provided at the technology level. Due to this, India is not getting any benefit in the global defense market. Apart from this, the situation is also not clear regarding the intellectual property and data rights related to this project, which raises questions on India's technical and economic participation. According to the report, Israel's doing this has put New Delhi into action. It is believed that if Israel tries to make partnerships on a unilateral basis, then both future strategic cooperation and trust in Israel may be affected. This may affect future defense agreements between the two countries.
NDTV
17-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Indian Navy's Next Generation Stealth Frigate INS Nilgiri Docks In Chennai
Chennai: The Indian Navy's newest indigenously built stealth frigate INS Nilgiri, docked in Chennai on Thursday on her maiden visit, marking a momentous occasion as she touched the shore of the State which inspired her name. The Navy's first of the seven next-generation stealth frigates, INS Nilgiri is now on a maiden homecoming to Chennai. Equipped with cutting-edge weapons and sensors, it multiplies India's operational might, according to a statement by the Defence Ministry public relations official. The ship's name is inspired by the majestic Nilgiri Hills, also known as the Blue Mountains of Tamil Nadu, which embody the spirit of strength, courage, resilience, and a rich heritage. Commissioned on January 15, 2025, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, INS Nilgiri is the lead vessel of the Project 17A (P 17A) class of stealth guided-missile frigates. INS Nilgiri stands as a testament to India's growing prowess in shipbuilding and maritime capabilities, having been built indigenously under Project 17A. "The maiden visit of INS Nilgiri to Chennai symbolises a proud homecoming, bridging the connection between the mountains and the seas. This visit highlights the ship's heritage and its role in safeguarding the nation's maritime interests," according to the press statement. It is a shining example of the nation's commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing and a proud representation of India's indigenous shipbuilding capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The ship is commanded by Captain Nitin Kapoor, the Commissioning Commanding Officer and the crew contains over 27 officers and 250 sailors. It was designed by the Warship Design Bureau and built indigenously at Mazagon Dock, Mumbai, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata. Measuring 149 metres in length with a displacement of around 6,670 tonnes, the vessel, locally designed by the Directorate of Naval Design, has reduced radar cross-section and infrared signatures. The frigate has a capacity to accommodate 226 personnel. Its armaments include Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, eight BrahMos anti-ship supersonic cruise missiles, along with close-in weapon systems and torpedo launchers. Propulsion is provided by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) system, enabling speeds of up to 32 knots and offering a range exceeding 5,500 nautical miles at economical cruising speed. The ship, with its motto "Adrish Yabalam, Ajeya Shaurayam" had reached its homeport Visakhapatnam
News18
21-06-2025
- News18
How Israel's Sea Shield ‘Barak-Magan' With 360° Radar Is Taking Down Iranian Drones
Last Updated: Military analysts say Barak-Magan may become key to Israel's naval defence as cheap but deadly drone threats continue to grow across the region In a significant defensive manoeuvre, Israel has demonstrated its advanced naval capabilities by intercepting and destroying eight drones launched from Iran. The drones were brought down using Israel's cutting-edge naval defence system, 'Barak Magan' or 'Electric Shield', from the Sa'ar 6 class corvette on the night of June 15. This marked the system's inaugural use in combat. What Is Black Magan? Barak Magan, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) based on Barak MX technology, is an advanced air defence system designed for maritime deployment. Here are some of it's key features: It offers 360-degree radar coverage It can intercept drones, cruise missiles, shore-to-sea rockets, and certain ballistic weapons. The system features three types of interceptors: MRAD for up to 35 km, LRAD for up to 70 km, and ER for engaging threats up to 150 km away. How Does It Work? The system operates using the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radar and electro-optical sensors installed on the Sa'ar 6 warship. Within seconds, it can identify enemy drones or missiles and launch a vertical missile from a smart launch module to neutralise the threat from any direction. Israel has deployed the system to safeguard its Navy's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which includes critical gas platforms and maritime routes—highlighting its reliability and combat readiness. Why This System Matters To India The Barak Magan technology holds significance for India as well, with its land and sea-based variant Barak-8 co-developed by India's DRDO and IAI. The Barak-8, boasting a range of up to 100 km, is already in use by the Indian Navy and Air Force. Why It's A Strategic Breakthrough The introduction of Barak Magan is considered a game-changer in maritime defence, particularly against the rising threat of drones and low-altitude weapons. Ground-based systems like Iron Dome or David's Sling may not always suffice against such threats, making flexible and high-range systems like Barak Magan crucial for pre-emptive defence. Success Rate Till Now The Israeli Navy claims that Barak Magan has successfully intercepted approximately 25 drones or aerial threats during the ongoing conflict. Eight drones were recently intercepted in a single night by the Sa'ar 6 corvette, marking a significant milestone for the new defence system. Military analysts say the system's rapid and precise activation demonstrates its reliability and combat effectiveness. According to them, it is likely to become central to Israel's sea-based security strategy, particularly as threats from inexpensive yet lethal technologies like drones continue to rise. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Israel First Published:
NDTV
17-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Barak Magen: Israel's New 'Lightning Shield' To Shoot Down Iranian Drones
Tel Aviv: Israel activated its new aerial defence system, 'Barak Magen' or 'Lightning Shield,' for the first time after multiple Iranian airstrikes breached the Iron Dome and hit buildings in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other cities. The new defence system intercepted Iranian drones on Sunday night, the military said. The Israeli Navy used the Barak Magen system along with its long-range air defence (LRAD) interceptor to down eight Iranian drones, as per Fox News. The interception was carried out from a Sa'ar 6 missile ship in Israeli waters, according to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). John Hannah, a senior fellow at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), said the system "significantly enhances" the naval wing of Israel's missile defence, calling it a critical layer in Israel's response to recent large-scale Iranian attacks. What Is Israel's Barak Magen? Barak Magen, which means "Lightning Shield" in Hebrew, is Israel's latest naval air defence system. It is a special version of the Barak MX missile defence system, built to protect navy ships from various aerial threats like drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The system is deployed on advanced Israeli Navy ships called Sa'ar 6 corvettes. How Barak Magen Works Barak Magen uses a mix of radar, command systems, and a set of smart vertical launchers that can fire different types of missiles. These include short-range, medium-range, and long-range interceptors, all launched straight up from the ship to hit incoming threats from any direction. This gives the system 360-degree coverage and the ability to deal with multiple targets at once. Types Of Missiles Barak Magen Uses Barak MRAD for short and medium ranges (up to 35 km) Barak LRAD for medium to long ranges (up to 70 km). Barak ER for extended ranges (up to 150 km). All these interceptors can be used from the same launcher. Barak Magen: First Trials The first live-fire trial of Barak Magen was conducted in November 2022 aboard the INS Magen, a Sa'ar 6-class warship, according to a report by military intelligence portal Janes. Following that, Israel released a video showing the system successfully launching a missile and destroying a target close to sea level. India's Barak-8 Israel has also worked with India to develop Barak-8, a surface-to-air version of the Barak defence system. This joint project with India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is designed to defend against aircraft, drones, anti-ship missiles, and ballistic missiles. Barak-8 has a range of up to 100 km and can operate at altitudes up to 20 km. Unlike Barak Magen which is specific to naval use, Barak-8 can be deployed from both land and sea platforms.
India Today
15-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Amid Israel-Iran conflict, India balances ties with both nations carefully
India finds itself in a delicate position as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, given its close but distinct strategic relationships with both countries. Top government sources told India Today that India's military ties with Israel and Iran are shaped by its core national interests - primarily defence, energy security and regional stability. With the conflict showing no signs of easing, India is carefully navigating its position, focusing on diplomacy and strategic autonomy to safeguard its long-term defence relationship with Israel has grown steadily over the years. Israel is now one of India's top defence suppliers, providing drones, radar systems and missile defence technologies such as the Barak-8. Both countries also collaborate on counter-terrorism, joint military exercises and defence innovation, making Israel a critical partner in India's national security contrast, India's relationship with Iran is largely shaped by historical and cultural ties and its role in India's energy and trade security. The Chabahar port, developed with Indian investment, serves as a vital link for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia, circumventing Pakistan. Although direct military cooperation is limited, India and Iran have engaged in joint efforts on maritime security and anti-piracy operations in the region. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran presents a complex foreign policy challenge for India. The Indian government has called for restraint from both sides and pushed for diplomatic engagement. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has spoken to his counterparts in both Israel and Iran, conveying global concerns and stressing the urgency of returning to the dialogue broader approach is driven by its policy of strategic autonomy - ensuring balanced relations with both countries without being drawn into regional conflicts. Stability in West Asia is crucial for India, especially given its reliance on Iranian oil and the threat to its economic interests from prolonged its neutral stance, India has distanced itself from a recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation statement that criticised Israel's military operations against Iran. The Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated India's consistent call for dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region. This posture underscores India's effort to uphold neutrality while preserving its partnerships and regional InMust Watch
