Air Defense

Barak-8

Also known as
  • Barak MRSAM
  • MRSAM
  • MR-SAM
  • Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile
  • Barak LR-SAM
  • LR-SAM
  • LRSAM
  • Barak MX
  • Barak ER
  • Barak LR
  • Barak MR

Barak-8, including India's MRSAM and LR-SAM configurations and IAI's later Barak MX family, is an Israeli-Indian air and missile-defense system for naval and land launchers. The cataloged conflict record centers on reported Azerbaijani Barak-8 use in Nagorno-Karabakh, an Indian Air Force Barak-8 interception during Operation Sindoor, and Israeli Barak-family interceptions during the 2025 Israel-Iran conflict.

Barak-8, Medium- to long-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense
Image source: Barak 8 at Baku Military Parade

Role in Conflicts

2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
Air DefenseForce Protection

Reportedly operated by Azerbaijani forces during the 2020 war; multiple reports citing Middle East Eye said an Azerbaijani Barak-8 battery intercepted an Armenian Iskander missile near the end of the fighting, while the underlying Iskander-use details remain disputed.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Israel / India
Type
Medium- to long-range surface-to-air missile system
Service note
Operational from the mid-2010s
Designer
Israel Aerospace Industries and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation
Designed
2000s
Unit cost
Not publicly standardized; varies by battery, interceptor mix, radar, and support package
Produced
2010s-present
Number built
Not publicly confirmed

Specifications

Role
Medium- to long-range surface-to-air and missile-defense system
Family range bands
IAI lists Barak MX interceptors at 15 km (SR), 35 km (MR), 70 km (LR), and 150 km (ER)
Indian MRSAM range
BDL and India's Ministry of Defence list MRSAM engagement range up to 70 km
Guidance
Command guidance plus active RF seeker on Indian MRSAM; IAI describes networked battle-management and sensor integration for Barak MX
Propulsion
BDL lists a dual-pulse solid motor with thrust-vector and aerodynamic control for MRSAM
Missile dimensions
BDL lists 4,500 mm length, 225 mm diameter, and 275 kg weight for MRSAM
Launcher load
Tata Advanced Systems says the MRSAM mobile launcher carries up to eight canisterized missiles
Launch platform
Vertical-launch naval modules and mobile land launchers
Targets
Aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, guided munitions, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles
Variants

Public sources use overlapping system and interceptor names: Barak-8 covers the original Israeli-Indian family, MRSAM and LR-SAM are common Indian service designations, and Barak MX is IAI's modular later family branding.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Barak MRSAM / MR-SAMMedium-range land and naval configuration

Indian official and industry sources describe MRSAM as the Barak-8-family medium-range system, with mobile land launchers and naval variants in Indian service.

Sources: PIB MRSAM Handover to Indian Air Force, BDL MRSAM Product Page

Barak LR / LR-SAMLonger-range naval air-defense configuration

IAI's current family page lists the Barak LR interceptor as the 70 km dual-pulse member, while Indian naval sources often use LR-SAM for ship-launched Barak-8 service.

Sources: BARAK MX

Barak MR35 km modular-family interceptor

IAI lists Barak MR as a 35 km single-pulse interceptor within the Barak MX family.

Sources: BARAK MX

Barak ERExtended-range family member

IAI lists Barak ER as the 150 km member using a dual-pulse rocket motor and booster.

Sources: BARAK MX

Barak MXModular air and missile-defense architecture

IAI describes Barak MX as a networked, open-architecture system integrating sensors, battle management, and SR/MR/LR/ER interceptors for ground and naval air defense.

Sources: BARAK MX

Carrier Platforms

Official coverage identifies naval platforms carrying Barak-8.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
Himgiri, Project 17A frigate, Naval SystemsHimgiriProject 17A frigate

PIB says INS Himgiri was commissioned armed with Barak-8 anti-aircraft missiles.

Sources: PIB Himgiri Commissioning

Mahendragiri, Project 17A frigate, Naval SystemsMahendragiriProject 17A frigate

The Times of India says Mahendragiri was delivered equipped with Barak-8 missiles.

Sources: TOI Mahendragiri Barak-8

INS Vikrant, Aircraft carrier, Naval SystemsINS VikrantAircraft carrier

Defense Post says the Barak-8/MRSAM system is deployed on the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

Sources: Defense Post Vikrant deployment note

Kolkata-class destroyer, Stealth guided-missile destroyer class, Naval SystemsKolkata-class destroyerGuided-missile destroyer class

Defense Post says the Barak-8/MRSAM system is deployed on the three Kolkata-class destroyers.

Sources: Defense Post Kolkata-class deployment note, PIB MRSAM Firing Trials

INS Chennai, Indian Navy stealth guided-missile destroyer, Naval SystemsINS ChennaiKolkata-class destroyer

PIB says INS Chennai took part in the Indian Navy's 2019 cooperative MRSAM firing trial with INS Kochi.

Sources: PIB MRSAM Firing Trials

Sa'ar 6-class corvette, Missile corvette, Naval SystemsSa'ar 6-class corvetteMissile corvette

IAI says the Israeli Navy's Sa'ar-6 corvettes receive the BARAK-8 air and missile defence system.

Sources: IAI's advanced AMD system wins another contract: To provide BARAK-8 air & missile defence system to Israel navy's SAAR-6 corvettes

Timeline

Barak-8 Key Events

  1. First Indian Air Force MRSAM firing unit handed over

    India's Ministry of Defence said the first deliverable MRSAM firing unit was handed over to the Indian Air Force at Jaisalmer, with DRDO and IAI demonstrating the system during acceptance testing.

    Sources: PIB MRSAM Handover to Indian Air Force

  2. Indian Army MRSAM operational flight tests

    DRDO and the Indian Army conducted four operational-condition flight tests of the Army MRSAM on April 3-4, 2025, with direct-hit interceptions against high-speed targets.

    Sources: PIB Ministry of Defence Year End Review 2025

  3. MRSAM India Eco-System Summit 2.0

    A Ministry of Defence release on the summit identified the Barak 8 missile and Air Defence Fire Control Radar as MRSAM subsystems supported by the Indian-Israeli ecosystem.

    Sources: PIB MRSAM India Eco-System Summit 2.0

Media

Barak-8 Videos

Barak-8 Images

Barak-8, Medium- to long-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 1
Source: Barak 8 Launcher
Barak-8, Medium- to long-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 2
Source: MRSAM Republic Day Parade
Barak-8, Medium- to long-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 3
Source: Barak-8 at Paris Air Show 2009
Barak-8, Medium- to long-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 4
Source: Barak-8 Missile Firing by Kolkata-Class Destroyer
Related Weapon Systems
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Barak LR / LRAD interceptor, Long-range surface-to-air interceptor, Air DefenseAir DefenseBarak LR / LRAD interceptorLong-range surface-to-air interceptorBarak LR, also identified in Israeli operational reporting as LRAD, is Israel Aerospace Industries' 70 km long-range interceptor in the Barak MX air and missile defense family. It combines vertical launch, a dual-pulse motor, an active RF seeker, and battle-management data links for land and naval air defense, including Barak Magen use from Israeli Navy Sa'ar 6 missile ships against Iranian-launched UAVs during the 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict.
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IAI Heron UAV, Medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsIAI Heron UAVMedium-altitude long-endurance UAVThe IAI Heron is an Israeli medium-altitude long-endurance UAV family built for persistent ISR, target acquisition, maritime patrol, and multi-sensor surveillance missions. IAI describes Heron 1, known in Israeli service as Shoval, and Heron Mk II as SATCOM-capable MALE platforms with automatic taxi, takeoff, and landing, while conflict sourcing ties the family to Israeli operations in Gaza and Iran, Azerbaijani reconnaissance and targeting in Nagorno-Karabakh, and Indian Heron Mk II operations during Operation Sindoor.
Iranian integrated air-defense system, Integrated air-defense network, Air DefenseAir DefenseIranian integrated air-defense systemIntegrated air-defense networkThe Iranian integrated air-defense system is the national command, radar, and surface-to-air missile network used to defend Iranian airspace and strategic sites. It combines the Khatam al-Anbiya command structure, domestic systems such as Bavar-373 and Khordad-family SAMs, imported Russian S-300 batteries, and older Soviet or Russian equipment. Recent Israel-Iran and United States-Iran conflict reporting treats the network as a fielded but heavily pressured air-defense layer whose radars, command sites, and long-range batteries became major suppression targets.

Sources

BARAK MXPublisher: Israel Aerospace Industries | Note: Supports manufacturer background, system architecture, interceptor family, active RF seeker, and 15-150 km range-family specifications. | Accessed: 2026-07-03IAI MRSAM InductionPublisher: Israel Aerospace Industries | Note: Supports MRSAM background, Indian service induction context, joint IAI-DRDO development, and system elements including phased-array radar, command-and-control shelter, mobile launchers, and RF-seeker interceptors. | Accessed: 2026-07-03PIB MRSAM Handover to Indian Air ForcePublisher: Press Information Bureau | Note: Supports MRSAM handover to the Indian Air Force on September 9, 2021, the joint DRDO-IAI development claim, Indian industry participation, up-to-70 km engagement range, and target set. | Accessed: 2026-07-03BDL MRSAM Product PagePublisher: Bharat Dynamics Limited | Note: Supports Indian MRSAM specifications including 70 km range, command and active RF guidance, dual-pulse solid motor, dimensions, weight, vertical launch, and Army/Navy/Air Force variant context. | Accessed: 2026-07-03TASL MRSAM Mobile Launcher SystemPublisher: Tata Advanced Systems | Note: Supports the MRSAM mobile launcher description, including a vehicle-mounted launcher with launch-control equipment and up to eight canisterized missiles. | Accessed: 2026-07-03PIB Ministry of Defence Year End Review 2025Publisher: Press Information Bureau | Note: Supports April 3-4, 2025 Indian Army MRSAM flight tests under operational conditions against high-speed aerial targets. | Accessed: 2026-07-03PIB MRSAM India Eco-System Summit 2.0Publisher: Press Information Bureau | Note: Supports Indian-Israeli MRSAM ecosystem context and identifies the BARAK 8 missile and Air Defence Fire Control Radar as associated MRSAM subsystems. | Accessed: 2026-07-03PIB MRSAM Firing TrialsPublisher: Press Information Bureau | Note: Supports the INS Chennai and Kolkata-class relationship by identifying INS Kochi and INS Chennai as ships that fired MRSAM in a 2019 cooperative engagement trial, and by stating that these missiles are fitted onboard Kolkata-class destroyers. | Accessed: 2026-07-03IAI's advanced AMD system wins another contract: To provide BARAK-8 air & missile defence system to Israel navy's SAAR-6 corvettesPublisher: Israel Aerospace Industries | Note: Supports the Sa'ar 6 class carrier relationship by identifying the Israeli Navy's Sa'ar-6 corvettes as recipients of the BARAK-8 air and missile defence system. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Barak 8Publisher: Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance | Note: Supports Barak-8 family background, variants, mobility, range summary, sensors, targets, and export/operator context. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Israeli Defense System Shot Down Russian Missile in Karabakh WarPublisher: The Moscow Times | Note: Supports 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict claim that Barak-8 was used by Azerbaijani military air defense during the 2020 war, while attributing the report to Middle East Eye and an unnamed official. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Did Azerbaijan's Use of Israeli Weapons Make the War Worse or Better?Publisher: The Jerusalem Post | Note: Supports 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict claim that Barak-8 was used by Azerbaijan to intercept an Armenian Iskander ballistic missile, citing Middle East Eye's direct-use report. | Accessed: 2026-07-03IAF's Sirsa Unit Fired Barak-8 Last MayPublisher: The Times of India | Note: Supports 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict claim that Barak-8 was fired by an Indian Air Force Sirsa unit to intercept a Pakistani ballistic missile during Operation Sindoor. | Accessed: 2026-07-03JPost Barak Drone InterceptionPublisher: The Jerusalem Post | Note: Supports 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict claim that the IDF intercepted an Iranian-war-period drone in Israeli territory with the Barak medium-range surface-to-air missile system. | Accessed: 2026-07-03IDF Barak Magen LRAD Operational EmploymentPublisher: Israel Defense Forces | Note: Supports 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict claim that Israeli Navy missile ships used Barak Magen/LRAD against UAVs launched from Iran during the June 2025 fighting. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Barak 8 at Baku Military ParadePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the Azerbaijan Barak-8 parade image, credited to President.az under CC BY 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Barak 8 LauncherPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the eight-missile Barak-8 launcher image under attribution-only terms. | Accessed: 2026-07-03MRSAM Republic Day ParadePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a Ministry of Defence / PIB MRSAM Republic Day Parade image under the Government Open Data License - India. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Barak-8 at Paris Air Show 2009Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the Barak-8 display image under CC BY-SA/GFDL licensing. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Barak-8 Missile Firing by Kolkata-Class DestroyerPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for an Indian Navy Barak-8 firing image licensed under the Government Open Data License - India. | Accessed: 2026-07-03PIB Himgiri CommissioningPublisher: Press Information Bureau | Note: Supports the Himgiri carrier relationship by identifying INS Himgiri as commissioned with Barak-8 anti-aircraft missiles. | Accessed: 2026-07-03TOI Mahendragiri Barak-8Publisher: The Times of India | Note: Supports the Mahendragiri carrier relationship by identifying Mahendragiri as delivered equipped with Barak-8 missiles. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Defense Post Vikrant deployment notePublisher: Defense Post | Note: Supports background context that Barak-8/MRSAM air-defense missiles are deployed on INS Vikrant. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Defense Post Kolkata-class deployment notePublisher: Defense Post | Note: Supports background context that Barak-8/MRSAM air-defense missiles are deployed on the three Kolkata-class destroyers. | Accessed: 2026-07-03