An Israeli-made missile may generate billions of dollars in sales to international companies operating off-shore oil rigs that might be targets for terrorists. Hezbollah is Israel’s closest and most obvious threat to its off-shore energy fields that Lebanon claims.
The Barak 8 missile, designed and made by Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary Elta Systems, successfully passed a critical test last week that helps clear the way for it to be operational by next year.
The Barak system was installed on an Israeli navy ship and launched at a simulated UAV, which was tracked and destroyed in mid-air.
A successful attack by terrorists or an enemy country on an off-shore oil rig could cause deaths, temporarily knock out oil production or exploration and result in a spike in oil prices that could sink economies into a recession.
IAI official Boaz Levy told Globes:
The recent trial has given the system a substantial boost among countries that are still considering whether to procure it, and we believe that in the coming years, we will increase the number of signed contracts for its procurement. This is the spearhead of the defense systems, and a key growth engine for us.