India, Israel to sign $ 100 mn missile deal
Press Trust of India
Jersualem, November 26
India and Israel are poised to sign a 100 million dollar deal for
the supply of Barak anti-ship missiles for Indian warships despite
its recent unsuccessful test launch.
To date the Indian Army has purchased some 260 million dollars
worth of Barak missiles from Israel but the upcoming deal with
Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) will be the Indian Navy's third
purchase of the missile.
The surface to-surface Barak missile is produced in Israel and in
service with Israeli Navy's Saar 5 patrol boats. India had first
mounted the system on its aircraft carrier INS Viraat.
The Haaertz daily said the Barak Missile, during a recent test by
the Indian Navy veered off course and fell into the sea. It
attributed the failure during the launch to problem in
communication frequencies between the missile and the
warship.
Another possible reason for the failure was a problem in the
missile's control and guiding system that stopped the missile's
flight, the daily reported.
However, a second missile back-up launched in the same test, hit
its target accurately, sources said.
India has emerged as one of the largest buyers of Israeli military
hardware in recent years and is acquiring the Phalcon earning
warning radars. Both sides have also discussed the transfer of the
Arrow-2 surface-to-air missiles as part of India's defence against
ballistic missiles.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_472598,0008.htm