Navy tests new missile off Goa
HERALD NEWS DESKPANJIM, APRIL 16 -- Operating in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Goa last week, an Indian Navy Sea Harrier test-fired Derby — a beyond-visual-range missile.
Navy sources said the missile hit its target on the high seas from a distance of 20 kilometres and was able to lock onto the target before launch.
This was the Navy’s first live test of the Israeli-made Derby. Two more live tests are planned in the near future. The Indian Navy signed a $25 million contract in 2005 with the missile’s maker, Rafael, for procurement of 20 Derby missiles to replace aging Sea Eagle missiles bought from BAE Systems in the early 1980s.
The upgraded aircraft will be armed with the Derby BVR missile. Sea Harriers were to be retired with aircraft carrier INS Viraat in 2010, a Navy official said.
, but this upgrade will keep the planes in service for deployment on the planned indigenous Air Defense Ship.
Source
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