In A First, Israel Uses Barak System Co-Developed By India To Shoot Down Iran's Drones

Last Updated:June 21, 2025, 10:53 IST

The 'Barak' air defence system used by Israeli military was co-developed by India's DRDO, and was used during Operation Sindoor to intercept a Pakistani missile.

Israel used the Barak air defence system for the first time against Iran. (IDF)

The Israeli Air Force deployed its advanced ‘Barak’ air defence system to intercept an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle that entered Israeli airspace, it said on Friday.

The Barak system was jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It is designed to safeguard against aerial threats, including UAVs, cruise missiles and other airborne targets.

“Earlier today, the “Barak" system of the Air Force’s air defense system intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle that crossed into Israeli territory. The “Barak" system was developed in Israel to protect against aerial threats," said the Israeli military.

“The Air Force will continue to operate to intercept targets that threaten the skies of the State of Israel and the maintenance of air superiority in the region."

What Is Special About ‘Barak’ System?

The Barak air defence system is an advanced, short to medium-range missile defense system developed by Israel to protect naval vessels and land targets from UAVs, cruise missiles and aircraft. It uses radar-guided surface-to-air missiles capable of intercepting multiple targets simultaneously.

The Barak-8 missile system, also known as MR-SAM, was co-developed by India’s DRDO and Israel’s IAI. The DRDO developed critical components such as the dual-phase rocket motor.

Notably, the Barak system was used recently by India during Operation Sindoor, when it intercepted a Pakistani Fatah-II missile targeting Delhi at Haryana’s Sirsa. The Israeli-origin Barak system is one of three missile systems capable of downing this hypersonic ballistic missile.

Israel’s multi-tiered missile defence systems include the Iron Dome and the Arrow missiles. However, Barak is a significant advancement for the Israeli military as it is designed to provide full-spectrum protection against a variety of airborne threats.

“The Barak system provides a robust defense against a wide range of threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, sea-to-sea missiles, rockets, and ballistic missiles. It is fully operational with various clients and offers the most effective solution through the use of multiple interceptor types, capable of engaging targets at ranges of up to 30 km, 70 km, and 150 km," the IAI had earlier said.

Jerusalem, Israel

News world In A First, Israel Uses Barak System Co-Developed By India To Shoot Down Iran's Drones