Israel Tested Successfully a Missile Designed to Protect Offshore Natural Gas Platforms

The Israeli Navy has completed successfully a test of a new missile, Barak 8, a surface to air missile designed to protect against various types of airborne threats including anti-ship missiles and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicle). The missile was launched from aboard a battle ship and hit a small UAV in what a navy officer described as small and difficult target to hit, according to Ha'aretz daily.

Barak 8 is planned to be mounted on the four battle ships Israel has ordered from Germany this year, in a $500 million deal, a third of it is paid for by the German tax payer. The missile will be able to hit targets that are moving in supersonic speed.

In future tests the ability of the missile will be tested against land-sea missiles like the Russian supersonic Yakhont anti-ship cruise missile. The Yakhont can be launched from land and with 600 km range poses a risk to Israeli natural gas infrastructure in the east Mediterranean if it is launched either from Syrian shores or from Lebanese shores. According to the naval officer, who briefed reporters, the missile's development phase will be ended in one to two years' time following "the elimination of a few risks [in the development phase]".

Barak8 is developed in cooperation with India.

Ya'acov Zalel