MF-STAR Radar and BARAK MX Air Defence Enhance Combat Capabilities

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is integrating offensive and defensive systems on the Israeli Navy’s new SA’AR 6 Corvettes, enhancing the vessels’ capabilities and ushering in a new technological era for the service, the company announced on 4 July.

In concert with the Israeli MoD and the Israeli Defence Force (IDF), IAI has completed the initial phase of installation for the MF-STAR (MAGEN ADIR) radars on the corvettes, and will continue to integrate the BARAK MX air defence system (RA’AM ADIR). The radars will serve to locate and classify air and surface targets, helping to build a detailed picture of the area under surveillance. The MF-STAR, one of the world’s most advanced radar systems, will serve as the corvettes’ brain, integrating with all onboard surveillance sensors. It is also an important component of the BARAK MX system, providing a layer of defence against advanced aerial and naval threats.

The MF-STAR embodies advanced technologies – including AESA – developed IAI’s ELTA Systems, enabling reduced target acquisition cycles and the ability to accurately and simultaneously track a wide range of targets. The radar provides optimal maritime situational awareness and hemispheric protection to all accompanying forces. On identifying a threat, the radar supplies all required data immediately to each control, defence and support system, enabling key decision-makers to respond in real time. The MF-STAR includes four ‘staring’ radar panels that provide 360° hemispherical coverage for the vessel.

BARAK MX, developed by IAI’s Systems, Missiles and Space Division, is one of the world’s most advanced operational defence systems, used by IDF land and naval forces as well as the Indian Navy and Air Force. The system provides both wide-area and targeted defence capabilities against an array of threats, from land, air and sea. It aggregates several key cutting-edge systems: a digital radar, weapon control system, launchers, a range of interceptors for different ranges with advanced homing devices, datalink communications and system-wide connectivity.

Boaz Levy, President and CEO of IAI, said: “The combat and air defence systems installed on the SA’AR corvettes represents the significant tier now being [integrated] on the rest of Israel’s air defence array, an integral aspect of IAI’s system-wide naval solutions […] Deploying the world’s most advanced radar system of its kind, based on decades of ELTA’s radar production know-how, is the cornerstone for a wide range of systems with the ability to act as a force multiplier for the Navy, for the IDF and for the State of Israel.”