Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has successfully test-fired the Barak-8 air and missile defence system, bringing it closer to integration on Israeli and Indian warships.

Undertaken in collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) and India's Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the tests certified all elements of the weapons system, including radar detection to interception and detonation of the approaching projectile.

DRDO head Dr Avinash Chander said: "This is an important milestone in the cooperation between India and Israel and in the development of the Barak-8 advanced air defence system."

During the tests, the missile successfully acquired the intended target and captured it.

Designed together with the DRDO in India and deployed by both the Israeli and Indian defence forces, the Barak-8 system is aimed at offering improved protection against a range of aerial platforms and land and naval scenarios.

"This is an important milestone in the cooperation between India and Israel and in the development of the Barak-8 advanced air defence system."

Features of the system include an enhanced phased-array digital radar, command and control, vertical launchers and missiles carrying an advanced seeker.

IAI president and CEO Joseph Weiss said: "The system's impressive, advanced capabilities proven today in this complex test are another testimony of IAI's resilience [and] advanced and groundbreaking capabilities.

"[The] Barak-8 air and missile defence system is a major growth engine for the company."

Other agencies involved in the project include IMOD's Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), IAI subsidiary ELTA Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and other defence industries.

Image: A Barak-8 missile being test-fired. Photo: courtesy of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.