Thailand Acquires Barak MX Air Defense System

The Barak MX air defense system by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has achieved a new commercial success in Thailand.

In fact, the Southeast Asian country has signed a contract with IAI worth around $100 million to purchase a Barak MX system, significantly bolstering its air defense, following the order to Saab for the supply of Gripen E/F fighters last August.

Details of the Barak MX System

The Barak MX Air Defense System (ADS) is a land and maritime area defense system that uses missiles from the Barak “family.” Besides short, medium, and long-range air defenses, it also provides theater missile defense.

Depending on the Barak missile used (MRAD, LRAD, and ER), the Barak Battle Management Center (BMC) covers distances between 35 km and 150 km, engaging targets flying at a maximum altitude between 20 km and 30 km from the ground.

With the Barak MX ADS, the 3D RL ELM-2084M-MMR radar system, which has a range of up to 400 km, can be deployed. This system was chosen by Slovakia for its Barak MX ADS.

Capabilities of the Barak MX System

The Barak MX ADS is capable of tracking and engaging aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, UAS, theater ballistic missiles, “kamikaze” drones, and glide bombs.

Each launch system consists of 8 vertical launch modules. The control of the missiles in the initial stage of engagement is done via a data link; in the final phase, the Barak missiles activate the sophisticated RF active search sensor and are capable of engaging targets with reduced radar cross-sections and high maneuverability.

Photo credit @ Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)