On September 9, the Indian Air Force officially introduced the Barak 8 air defense system in Jaisalmer, northwest of Rajasthan. On the same day, an emergency landing took place on National Road 925 in Jalor District, Rajasthan, 40 kilometers from the India-Pakistan border.
The Indian Air Force Su-30MKI and Jaguar fighter jets, as well as a Super Hercules transport aircraft land on the Highway to showcase the capabilities of India in the presence of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Air Force chief.
According to reports, Barak-8 can eliminate air threats up to 50-80 kilometers away. It is the product of a collaboration between the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of India and the Israeli Aerospace Industry (IAI).
Barak-8 has advanced radar, command and control systems, and mobile transmitters. The missile of the air defense system is propelled by a local rocket engine and control system, and has high mobility in the end.
“ With the handover of the MRSAM system to IAF, we have taken a big step towards achieving’Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India). MRSAM will prove to be a game changer in the air defense sector,” said the Indian defenseminister.
“ Even in inclement weather, the system can simultaneously hit multiple targets within a range of 70 kilometers. Its success in a series of rigorous tests proves its reliability ,” Singh said.
“ The equations between countries are also changing rapidly according to their interests. Whether it is the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Indo-Pacific, or Central Asia, uncertainty can be seen everywhere, ” the minister said, adding, “ In this Under circumstances, it has become necessary to strengthen our safety and self-reliance. “
DRDO Chairman G Satish Reddy showed Barak 8’s first combat firing unit to Air Force Admiral Bhadauria. Indian military experts have long believed that the MRSAM system is a combat necessity, and believe that the introduction of Barak-8 and the upcoming Russian S-400 Triumf is a step in this direction.
Barak-8 missile
The five S-400 SAM systems ordered by New Delhi in October 2018 are expected to be delivered by the end of this year.
S-400 can eliminate a large number of air threats, including enemy fighters and missiles, within a range of up to 400 kilometers. Analysts have observed that India has been strengthening its air defense system in recent years.
India bets on Barak-8 and S-400 missiles
Philippine defense analyst Miguel Miranda told the Eurasian Times, “Since India’s independence, the Indian armed forces have established and maintained one of the world’s most advanced air defense networks in a larger geographic area than Western Europe . Of course. , Most of the technology used depends on the Soviets.
However, today’s proliferation of tactical ballistic missiles and “smart” long-range munitions requires the Indian armed forces to plan and invest in new theater defenses.
“Unlike the past, now The Indian Army and Air Force have sufficient long, medium and short-range air defense capabilities. We are not in the 1980s.
China and Pakistan — these two countries have strong missile arsenals and military industries — anti-ballistic missile and anti-cruise missile defense systems are imperative.
“This is why it is so important to import the S-400 and modify the Barak made in Israel. All major cities in India are within the air power and missile range of China and Pakistan. Therefore, the multi-layer defense system must be put into use as soon as possible.”
“India’s two main competitors have a large number of nuclear-capable missiles. Especially China, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force has a huge road mobile tactical missile arsenal, strategic bomber formations and a new generation of submarine-launched medium-range ballistic missiles ( IRBM) and intercontinental ballistic missiles (intercontinental ballistic missiles) .
“Therefore, India still needs to be able to assemble its own defense system to protect every layer of national airspace and territory.
This is the significance of MRSAM. India now has expertise in mass production of air defense systems, which will result in weapons systems tailored to protect the nationc.
Fortunately, India has a mature aerospace R&D department, which makes it more likely to develop future weapon systems comparable to S-400 and S-500,” Miranda added.
s-400 missile defence system
India initiated the Akash and Trishul SAM projects in the 1980s. It is estimated that Akash-NG SAM [upgrade version] has matured to a contemporary level.
“India can now supplement its borders with cheaper Akash-NG squadrons, which are also capable of combating drones. Work on the Barak 8 derivative MRSAM and S-400 Triumf system, which is scheduled to arrive in India by the end of the year, has been completed. Induction is in the initial stage.
“Currently, India relies on the older generation of surface-to-air missiles and some Akash and Quick Response Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) devices.
On the other hand, China has deployed a large number of domestic SAMs in the headquarters series. These are deployed in large numbers, but the quality is unknown. Pakistan relies on imported surface-to-air missiles, but the largest share of air defense lies in higher aircraft. Currently, these three countries rely extensively on older generation SAM systems,” Chacko added.
