The Indian Air Force has deployed the Barak-8 air defense system, also known as MR-SAM, at the Bhatinda base in Punjab, near the border with Pakistan. According to reports, satellite images reveal new infrastructure at the base, such as missile launch sites, radar ramps, and special storage areas, consistent with the layout of the Barak-8 system.
The choice of Bhatinda base for the deployment of MR-SAM is of strategic importance as it is located about 120 kilometers from the India-Pakistan border, allowing coverage of important Pakistani military installations in the Punjab and Sindh regions.
In addition, it strengthens the air defense of one of India’s largest air bases in Punjab, which houses fighter aircraft squadrons and critical support infrastructure.
The Barak-8 is a medium-range surface-to-air system designed to engage a variety of aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, and incoming missiles. It was jointly developed by the Delhi-based Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
As part of its armed forces modernization program known as “Achilles’ Shield,” Greece is in advanced discussions with IAI to acquire the Barak-8. The aim is to strengthen its air defense, particularly near the Aegean islands and the land border with Turkey.
This 25 billion euro program, to be implemented over the next 12 years, aims to address rising regional tensions. Greece is increasingly relying on Israeli defense technology to fill gaps in its existing systems.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the Barak-8 was chosen over other systems, such as the American Patriot, due to its lower cost and faster delivery.
India’s experience with the Barak-8 provides Greece with valuable information about the system’s capabilities.
India has inducted the Barak-8 into its army, navy, and air force. The initial cooperation agreement with IAI, worth over Rs 30,000 crore, was signed in 2017. Recently, on 7 and 8 April 2025, IAI and the Indian armed forces completed a series of tests of the system, confirming its operational readiness.
These tests, which included successful target intercepts, demonstrated the Barak-8’s ability to neutralize threats at critical distances, as Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated.
The system has already been integrated into several Indian warships and is planned to equip most of the country’s navy’s future platforms.
The cooperation between India and Israel proves the reliability of the Barak-8 in real conditions, something that Greece can exploit to address its own challenges, such as the threat of Turkish drones in the Aegean and Evros.
Furthermore, India’s experience shows that the Barak-8 can work effectively in combination with other systems, such as the Indian Akash or the Russian S-400, offering Greece the ability to create a multi-layered defense network.
However, Greece will need to carefully consider integrating the system with its existing infrastructure and the costs of maintenance and training to ensure maximum performance of the Barak-8 in its own operational environment.
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