Israel and India strengthen defense cooperation with successful Barak missile interception tests

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced on Monday that it had conducted successful tests of its Barak medium-range surface-to-air missile in India. The missile tests were carried out in close cooperation with the Indian military. 

IAI noted in an official statement that the tests included four “air targets at various speeds, with challenging interception altitudes and ranges.”

“The missiles intercepted the aerial targets, scoring direct hits and destroying them, demonstrating the system’s operational capability,” the company added.

Boaz Levy, president and CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), hailed the successful tests, stating that they further strengthen the already robust military cooperation between Israel and India.

"The Barak System provides advanced and innovative defense against a wide range of air and missile threats. The success of these tests strengthens the technological cooperation between our countries and reflects our partnership with the Indian Ministry of Defense, as well as with industries in both Israel and India," Levy stated. 

The Barak system is designed to provide sophisticated protection against diverse aerial threats. It is reportedly capable of intercepting and neutralizing hostile threats up to 70 kilometers (44 miles) away. Furthermore, the Barak missile system is flexible and can be deployed on both land and sea platforms. 

Israel Aerospace Industries is one of Israel’s largest defense companies and has become a major global actor in the development of cutting-edge weapons systems. 

In July 2024, IAI won an order worth $1 billion with an undisclosed “third party.” It was speculated at the time that the secured order concerned the delivery of satellites to Morocco. 

"Global demand for military equipment of all kinds is at an all-time high. This is an arms race by the West in response to the emerging axis of evil threat," an official stated. "This is a golden era for Israeli defense industries because their equipment and technology have proven effective on the battlefield during the Gaza war."

In 2020, Morocco normalized relations with Israel as part of the historic American-brokered Abraham Accords. At the time, the United States and Israel recognized Morocco’s territorial claims to Western Sahara, a disputed territory located in the northwestern part of Africa. 

Morocco and Israel swiftly forged strong diplomatic and military ties. In November 2021, reports emerged suggesting that Morocco expressed interest in acquiring Israel’s advanced Iron Dome aerial defense system. Amid ongoing tensions with neighboring Algeria, Morocco has increasingly signaled its intent to enhance both its offensive and defensive capabilities in recent years.

In May 2023, IAI signed a memorandum of understanding with the International University of Rabat in Morocco concerning the construction of a research center for aeronautics and artificial intelligence. 

Amir Peretz, former Israeli Defense Minister and IAI Chairman of the Board, emphasized that the cooperation between Morocco and Israel also benefited the outside world. 

“By establishing the necessary industrial infrastructure, it will be possible to recruit new graduate students. Looking into the students’ eyes, I can see their strong determination to succeed in this new center, bringing forth ideas which hopefully will serve not only Morocco and Israel, but also the entire world,” Peretz said.