The Israel Navy has reportedly carried out test-firing of the Barak 8 medium-range surface-to-air missile from a Sa’ar 5-class corvette INS Lahav for the first time.

During testing, which was conducted in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries, the missile successfully "intercepted a small drone simulating an enemy craft."

According to analysts, the missile would be deployed to secure the country’s offshore gas rigs. Israel conducted the first test of Barak-8 missile in May 2010.

"The system extends the range of Israel’s aerial defence and the system, being developed with India, should be operational in about two years."

An unnamed military official was quoted by Associated Press as saying: "The system extends the range of Israel’s aerial defence and that the system, being developed with India, should be operational in about two years."

The missile is being co-developed under a partnership agreement between the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) and India’s Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

See Also:

Featuring Israel’s MF-STAR radar system and rocket motor from India, the Barak-8 system is aimed at offering improved protection against a range of aerial platforms and land and naval scenarios.

The Indian Navy has completed integration of the Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air missiles on its Kolkata-class guided-missile destroyer, INS Kolkata.

Testing from the Indian destroyer is supposed to be carried out this month.

Capable of accommodating a crew of 74, the Sa’ar 5-class vessels are armed with either a Raytheon / General Dynamics mk15 Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS) or an Oto Melara 76mm gun, as well as six 324mm mk32 torpedo tubes for ATK mk46 torpedoes.