India tested its mid-range Surface-to-Air ballistic missile, Barak-8, in the Balasar district in Orissa, on June 30.
The missile has been made by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation, in collaboration with the Israeli Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure, as revealed by the defense officials.
The missile designed to level any airborne threat including aircraft and helicopters was successfully test launched from a mobile launcher in the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Balasore at around 8.15 am.
A new production facility to deliver 100 long and mid-range surface-to-air ballistic missiles at M/s Bharat Dynamics Limited, India has been established.
The missile was initially proposed to be tested yesterday but, was rescheduled in the last moment for today.
Watch video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFPZCt55lic
Such medium-range surface-to-air missiles (SR-SAM) have striking ranges from 50 to 70 km, and can fill the gap of existing missiles in India’s armory at present.
As a safety measure, Balasore district administration after consulting with the defense officials had temporarily shifted 3652 civilians who were residing within 2.5 km radius of the launch pad No.3 of the ITR at Chandipur to nearby shelter centers this morning, said a district revenue official.
Instructions were given to fishermen in three Orissa coastal districts (Balasore, Bhardak and Kendrapara) to not venture into the sea during the launch.
It was also revealed by the officials that the system also included a Multi-Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF STAR)that can detect, track and guide the missile.
Such ties and collaborative efforts of India with foreign governments is bound to increase India’s defense capabilities. This event marks the beginning of a hopefully long-standing relation with Israel and is going to encourage such initiatives with other countries. India’s recent inclusion in the MTCR is also anothe strong indication.
