The Indian Navy confirmed today that it bought Israeli Barak anti-missile missiles. Until now, neither Israel nor India would confirm reports on the matter. The deal is worth $300 million. Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is the chief contractor for the project, with subsidiaries Elta and Mabat acting as subcontractors.
The Indian announcement of the deal was contained in a response by the Indian Army to an investigative report by the Indian news portal Tehelka.com. The report alleged that the procurement violated procedures, an allegation the Indian Navy denies.
The deal was struck during the Israel-US imbroglio over Israel Phalcon sale to China last year. The Chinese deal was cancelled under US pressure.
The US has defined both India and China as “problem” states, and demanded that Israel notify it about any potential deal with them. Russia and Pakistan are also included in the “problem state” category.
Vice-Admiral Arun Prakash, Chief of Personnel, Naval Headquarters, told Indian television station Doordarshan that the procurement of the anti-missile system from Israel was the best possible solution for India. As a result of the international sanctions imposed on weapons sales to India, no other country was willing to supply the Indian Navy equivalent systems for anti-missile defense. He said that India was also forced to procure defense systems from Russia.
Prakash rejected allegations that the deal was conducted hastily, without the Indian Navy conducting appropriate evaluation tests. He said the procurement of the Israeli system was especially urgent for the defense of India’s aircraft carriers, due to the delays in the development of India’s Trishul surface to air missile.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 5 April 2001