IAI to Supply Barak-8 SAM System for Israeli Navy Saar 6 Corvettes.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has entered an agreement to provide advanced defense systems to Israel Navy's Sa'ar-6 corvettes. The systems will be used to protect Israel's exclusive economic zone and strategic facilities which are faced with diversified threats in the marine arena. The contract was led by the navy, Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the procurement administration in Israel's Ministry of Defense. The Barak-8 system was chosen after it was demonstrated to meet the operational requirements and future challenges faced by the Navy.

Barak-8 launched from an Israeli Navy Saar 5 corvette. IAI picture

Barak-8 is an operational air & missile defense system used by the Israeli navy as well as by the India's navy and air forces. It provides broad Aerial and point defense against a wide range of threats to the marine arena from the air, the sea or the land. The system integrates several advanced state-of-the-art systems as, digital radar, command and control, launchers, interceptors with modern RF seekers, Data link and system-wide connectivity.

Joseph Weiss, IAI CEO & President, said, "Barak-8 is one of IAI's leading systems and a growth engine for IAI in sales to its customers. The new deal adds to several Barak-8 contracts entered over the past few years with total value of more than $5 billion, which is another feather in the system's glorious cap."

Boaz Levi, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Systems, Missiles & Space Group, said, "The procurement of Barak-8 System for the Sa'ar-6 corvettes will expand the operational capabilities of the Israeli navy, including the defense of Israel's territorial and exclusive economic zone . With land and naval modules, the system provides a complete response to a wide range of threats and is developed to work with other systems. Barak-8 is a proud member of the exclusive club that hosts Israel's most successful global military developments."

The Barak-8 was developed by IAI in collaboration with Israel's DDR&D, India's DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization), the navies of both countries, RAFAEL, IAI's ELTA Group and local industries in India.

 Israeli Navy animation

Comment about Saar 6
The Saar 6 class was developed from the German MEKO A100 base (and variations for the German Navy K130 corvettes). The Saar 6 vessels will not just be "Patrol Vessels" as initially reported but rather powerful Corvettes with a displacement in excess of 2,000 tons and a length of 90 meters.The width of the class is 13.5 meters and its draft is more than 4 meters. Their maximum speed is 26 knots thanks to their diesel power plant and dual-shaft arrangement. The crew complement is about 70 sailors.

Saar 6 class corvettes will be heavily armed for their size: They are set to be fitted with:
- 32x VLS cells for Barak 8 surface to air missile system by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
- 2x C-DOME naval point defense system launchers by Rafael (20x Tamir missiles in each launcher for a total of 40x per ship)
- 16x anti-ship missiles (Boeing Harpoon Block 2 or Israel's IAI Gabriel Mk 5)
- 1x 76mm Oto Melara Super Rapid main gun
- 2x Typhoon 25mm remote weapon stations by Rafael (likely able to launch Spike-ER missiles as well)
- 2x 324mm torpedo launchers for MK54 Lightweight Torpedo by Raytheon

The main sensor system aboard the Saar 6 will be the MF-STAR multifunction AESA radar by IAI. Saar 6 corvettes will have hangar space and platform able to accommodate a medium class (SH-60 type) helicopter.

infographics on the Saar 6