Israel's Gas Field to receive Iron Dome protection in 'Barak 8' | Arutz Sheva 7 - Israel National News

Following series of successful tests, Israeli offshore gas interests to receive advanced missile defense system to protect for all threats

By Raphael Poch, 12/31/2015

Test of Barak 8 Missile systemPhto Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

Head of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) told Israeli press Wednesday that the newly developed ‘Barak 8’ system which will be installed on Israeli naval ships will be able to protect Israel’s offshore gas assets.

Following the successful tests of the new system in India, Yossi Weiss, CEO of the IAI, said that part of the mission of the project is to protect the Israeli offshore gas assets.

“Technology is giving us the answer to the unfolding developments and threats of our enemies,” he said in an interview with Walla! News.

Weiss added that the system will also be used for “other naval assets." Weiss said the system is capable of providing an answer for a wide range of naval threats, including ‘sea-to-sea’ missiles and torpedoes, air to sea missiles, and land to sea missiles. The system itself uses advanced radar technology which is far superior to previous systems.

The system also has a land based derivative which has been sold to the Indian Air Force. According to current plans between the two nations, that system will soon undergo testing as well.

Vice President for Missiles, Systems and Space Group of the IAI, Boaz Levy, also spoke about the missile tests yesterday and said that “both an Israeli as well as an Indian ship have the systems currently installed.”

While the decision remains with the IDF as to when and how to install further systems, Levy added that the system could be fully operational on Israeli Naval ships in a matter of months.

According to IAI standards, three successful tests are needed to certify a new program. The two trials which occurred in India in the past week, have completed the trial run phase for the ‘Barak 8’ system, and have classified it as ready for deployment.  

SOURCE

November 29th, 2015

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


Source: http://www.naturalgaseurope.com/israel-tested-successfully-a-missile-designed-to-protect-offshore-natural-gas-platforms-26775