The barak-8 system, which is known to the Israeli public primarily due to the cooperation between Israel and India, was apparently sold to Azerbaijan as well reported Israeli defense quoting Armenews. While India possesses a maritime version of the system, Azerbaijan was sold an operational land-based version with 12 launchers and 75 surface-to-air missiles. This means that the land system is also operational, apparently, both in India and Azerbaijan.
Press-service of the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry has published today video and photos of field firing of anti-aircraft missiles (SAM) ‘Ildirim’ (Lightning). This is an Israeli-made SAM ‘Barak-8,’ information on the acquisition of which by Azerbaijan was spread last year. By the way, in Hebrew ‘barak’ means ‘lightning.’ International sources use the name ‘Barak-8’ for the classification of this SAM.
Demonstration of these complexes by the Azerbaijani army now is connected to the fact that the Armenian side does not cease to threaten Baku with its short-range ballistic missile systems (SRBM) ‘Iskander,’ purchased from Russia.
Even without being tested in combat against the SRMB, according to military analysts, ‘Barak-8’ has such indicators, which show that it is able to neutralise ‘Iskander’ SRMB. On the other hand, according to the already confirmed data, Azerbaijan will acquire from Israel several missile defence batteries ‘Iron Dome.’ Taking into account the existing Azerbaijani armed forces air defence SAM systems
According to the report, Israel sold to Azerbaijan considerable amount of different types of weapons, including IMI’s EXTRA Guided rockets, Aerostar UAVs, Elbit Systems’ ATMOS self-propelled artillery system, Spike missiles (including NLOS-SSM), Elta’s EL / M-2080 and EL / M-2288 radar systems, IAI’s and Elbit’s UAVs, IAI’s LAHAT anti-tank missiles and “Shaldag” ships.
The Harpy ‘Kamikaze’ UAV should be added to the list as well. It was put to operational use by Azerbaijan during the recent conflict with Armenia (according to media reports in Azerbaijan, six such drones were used). Apparently, this is all part of a deal signed in 2012.
A publication on apa.az claims that T-72 tanks and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles used by the Azerbaijani Army were modernized by Israeli companies. Furthermore, Azerbaijan received an order to produce 30 “Aerostar” and 30 “Orbiter-2M” drones basing on Israel’s license.
© 2021, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.