1,000 BARAK 8 Missiles to be Built in India
On 11 July in Hyderabad, Rafael passed a manufacturing order valued at $100 million (€89 million) for BARAK 8 missiles to Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems Ltd (KRAS), a joint venture between the Israeli company and Kalyani Strategic Systems. The order covers manufacture of 1,000 BARAK 8 missiles (also known in India as the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile – MRSAM).
The joint venture was established with a view to manufacturing systems required by the Indian and export defence markets. In keeping with their commitment to the ‘Make in India’ policy, the two partners in the new company are investing significantly in a best-in-class production facility, a state-of-the-art engineering service and extended life-cycle support capabilities for the Indian customer. KRAS expects to increase its workforce to some 300 by 2023.
Jointly developed by Israeli and Indian government agencies and industrial organisations, BARAK 8 seeks to offer broad spectrum air defence capability against a variety of airborne targets, from conventional and unmanned platforms to ballistic and cruise missiles.
“We at Rafael are proud of our role – not only in KRAS, but also of our participation in ‘Make in India,’ and our strong relationship with the vibrant talent across India’s defence industries. As we mark the end of this project, we look forward to celebrating many more milestones with KRAS, as well as with our many other partners in India,” commented Head of Rafael’s Air Defence Systems Division, Pini Yungma.
“This order is a testimony to the capabilities that exist in the country and how they can be utilized to truly achieve the aim of ‘Make in India.’ Kalyani Group is immensely proud of this achievement and our association with Rafael. We are confident in our ability to realise many more such orders,” added Kalyani Group Chairman, Baba Kalyani.
