The government approved a Rs 10,000 crore joint venture between the two sides to produce a sophisticated surface-to-air missile for the Indian Air Force.
NEW DELHI: In a significant move in India’s missile capabilities and defence cooperation with Israel, the government on Thursday approved a Rs 10,000 crore joint venture between the two sides to produce a sophisticated surface-to-air missile for the Indian Air Force.
This is probably the largest joint venture of its kind between India and any other country. It surpasses all previous such ventures, including the hugely successful Indo-Russian Brahmos cruise missile.
The Cabinet Committee on Security on Thursday gave the formal go ahead to the joint venture between Defence Research and Development Organisation and Israel Aerospace Industries Limited for the almost $2.5 billion project.
According to sources, the DRDO would be the ‘prime developer’ for the project which would have Rs 2,300 crore worth indigenous component.
The missile, to replace the aging Russian Pechora missiles, would be a highly sophisticated surface-to-air missile that can provide protection to a ground installation against a variety of threats, including an incoming missile.
The initial plan is to make 18 firing units that would include missiles, at least three launchers, and a command and control centre.
It would have radars for acquisition and guidance. The medium range SAM would be capable of engaging multiple targets and would be a “robust area defence system”, sources said.
According to indication available from defence circles, the missile would be a modified, extended version of Barak-8, also called BarakNG (New Generation), a naval missile under development.
BarakNG grew out of the Indian navy purchase of the sophisticated anti-missile system, Barak, from Israel during the Kargil war. It was bought because of the DRDO’s failure to develop Trishul in time to provide a protective cover to the ships.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has, however, filed a case on the purchase, accusing involvement of middlemen in the deal.
Despite the controversy, the Navy is all in praise for the Barak system, which can pick up an enemy missile and destroy it. It has a range of 10 kilometres.
BarakNG would be an extension of the Barak missile, now mounted in several Indian navy ships, and would have a 70-kilometre range. BarakNG too is a joint venture between India and Israel but at a much smaller scale.
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