India To Buy 262 Barak-I Anti-Ship Missiles From Israel

The Indian government is moving the cabinet committee on security (CCS) to buy 262 Barak-I anti-ship missiles worth $163 million only two weeks after New Delhi voted for a UNHRC resolution against Tel Aviv on its Gaza offensive.

The acquisition has been in motion since it was cleared by defence acquisition council under then defence minister AK Antony last December.

According to reports, the CCS vote was moved this week for the purchase of the missiles from Israeli Aircraft Industries and Rafael Advanced Systems of Israel, both of whom were investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2006 for allegedly paying kickbacks in a missile deal and were later black-listed. However that ban was later lifted after the Navy made its case for urgent requirements.

“India needs Barak missiles to arm its aircraft carriers and front-line warships against strike aircraft and anti-ship missiles. The Barak will be fitted on at least 14 Indian warships and the newly acquired Vikramaditya,” a source was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times newspaper.