Jersualem, Nov 26: Israel aircraft industries is poised to sign a 100 million dollar contract to supply the Indian warships with protective Barak missiles, despite its recent unsuccessful test launch. IAI sources who examined the recent test flight in which the Barak Missile veered off course and fell into the sea, responding to media reports, said that the problem during the launch was probably caused by 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, Haaretz reported yesterday. However, a second missile back-up launched in the same test, hit its target accurately, sources said. To date the Indian Army has purchased some 260 million dollars worth of Barak Missiles from Israel. But the upcoming deal with 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. It is considered to be the world`s most advanced for protecting warships and has been sold to several countries.


Bureau Report