Will supply $630 million LRSAM to BEL
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has been awarded an additional $630 million contract to supply Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) air and missile defence systems for four ships of the Indian Navy. The contract will be carried out, for the first time, with Indian government company Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), serving as the main contractor in the project as part of India’s “Make in India” policy.
“The new contract adds to other deals signed in the last decade by IAI with India’s defense forces, reinforcing IAI’s global leadership position in air and missile defense systems,” Joseph Weiss, IAI President and CEO, said. “The inclusion of Indian governmental company BEL for the first time, is a step up in our relationship with the Indian industry as part of the ‘Make in India’ policy. This unique project represents the close collaboration between India’s DRDO, IAI and the defence forces of both countries. We will proceed to implementing it with joint efforts.”
Boaz Levi, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Systems, Missiles & Space Group said: “We take pride, along with our partners in India, in the great results of the trail conducted last week, which reestablishes the System’s reliability and quality as well as its advanced technological capabilities. IAI is in an accelerated process to supply the various air and missile defense systems to the client. We will continue to support our partners in India in advancing the industry and security of both countries.”
LRSAM is an advanced air and missile defence system, a joint development by IAI and India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in collaboration with IAI Elta, Rafael, various Indian companies including BEL, L&T, BDL, and other private Indian companies. The system comprises several key state-of-the-art elements, advanced phased-array radar (MFSTAR), command and control system, and launchers and missiles with advanced RF seekers. The system provides protection against a variety of aerial, naval and air born threats and is operational with the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and Israel Defense Forces, and in the near future with Indian Army, accoridng to the company.
