Rafael, Tatas plan deal for defence systems

Rafael, the Israeli armaments company, is set to sign an agreement with Tata Power for maintenance of air defence systems which the company will supply to the Indian Air Force.

Rafael, which has got the contract for quick reaction surface-to-air Python and Derby Air Defence Systems for the Ministry of Defence, will sign the production transfer programme agreement with the Tata Group company this fiscal.

The missiles, that target low-flying enemy missions, will replace the IAF's ageing Russian SAM-6 and SAM-7 missiles.

Rafael missiles will be used together with the indigenous Akash surface-to-air missiles which have recently been cleared for induction.

"Under the proposed agreement, Tata Power will manufacture some parts of the air defence systems and do the maintenance work post delivery," Rafael's director for air-to-air and air defence systems Oron Oriol said.

Each unit of the air defence systems consists of a command and control vehicle fitted with a radar, four silos capable of firing four missiles and units to supply and service the vehicle.

"This is a unique and advanced air defence system and India can make good use of it," Oriol said. "We expect to sign the deal very soon, hopefully before March 31."

The Cabinet committee on security last month cleared the deal, which will cost Rs 4,500 crore.

As part of the main contract to deliver the air defence systems to the IAF, Rafael will give an as yet unspecified number of Python-5 and Derby missiles, both of them considered advanced surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles.

The fifth generation surface-to-air and air-to-air Python-5 missile can be launched from very short to beyond-visual ranges. It has greater kill probability, excellent resistance to countermeasures, irrespective of evasive target manoeuvres, or deployment of countermeasures.

The Python-5's unique full sphere performance is achieved by a combination of lock-on-after-launch and excellent acquisition and tracking capabilities.

Its dual waveband focal plane array seeker and sophisticated algorithms enable acquisition of even small, low signature targets in look-down, adverse background and cloudy environments.

Derby is an active radar surface-to-air and air-to-air missile. It's operational flexibility and multi-shot capability enables use during the day or night and in all-weather conditions.

Together, the Python-5 and Derby offer superior fighting capabilities that ensure outstanding air superiority in 21st century warfare.