BARAX MX has been Chosen for Royal Thai Air Force's IADS

03 Desember 2025

BARAK MX Integrated Air Defense System (photos: IAI)

The Royal Thai Air Force has announced the winner of the Integrated Air Defense System (IADS) development program. The BARAK MX system has been selected from Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI). The BARAK MX will be purchased for 3,440.37 million baht. The BARAK MX will be the Royal Thai Armed Forces' most advanced air defense weapon system.

The BARAK MX is designed to eliminate air threats, including drones and long-range missiles, and offers advanced interception capabilities. This technological superiority significantly expands the range of air defenses compared to existing systems, providing a multi-layered shield covering ranges from 35 to 70 km, and up to 150 km for longer-range threats.

Developed by Israel's IAI, the BARAK MX air and missile defense system is an advanced air and missile defense system designed to counter a wide range of threats, including aircraft, drones, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. This system plays a key role in the multi-layered national defense strategy and is recognized for its flexibility and robust capabilities. It has been successfully demonstrated in its battlefield effectiveness and efficiency in intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles during Operation Rising Lion in June.

The BARAK MX system is an eight-tube launcher capable of carrying three types of guided munitions: the BARAK Medium-Range Air Defense System (MRAD), which uses a single pulse rocket motor and has a maximum range of 35 km; the BARAK Long-Range Air Defense System (LRAD), which uses a dual-pulse rocket motor and has a maximum range of 70 km. Both have a maximum range of 20 km; and the BARAK ER, which uses a dual-pulse rocket motor and booster, has a maximum range of 150 km and a maximum range of 30 km. It can withstand 50 G forces, making it difficult for evading targets. It provides fast and reliable target acquisition and is highly resistant to electronic countermeasures.

All variants feature an advanced radio frequency seeker for low radar cross-sections and when searching for moving targets. It can carry a large warhead and is launched vertically to provide 360-degree coverage. All three BARAK variants are integrated into a single battle management system, with a centralized ground-based BARAK launcher. The launcher can be deployed rapidly and relocated in less than two minutes.

The BARAK MX system incorporates a fully digital, integrated phased array (MMR) multi-mission sensor and radar developed by IAI. The system is also equipped with active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars developed by IAI subsidiary ELTA Systems, such as the ELM 2138 MMR and ELM-2084 MMR, which are capable of mobile operation.

The BARAK MX system utilizes a network-centric architecture, providing maximum redundancy and supporting the integration of multiple sensors and battle management centers. This design enhances the system's ability to coordinate with other defense systems, more effectively address threats, and enhance real-time combat effectiveness.

The core of the BARAK MX system is its advanced interceptor warhead, which significantly expands the range of air defenses compared to conventional systems. With a multi-layered armor protection range of 35 to 70 kilometers, up to 150 kilometers for longer-range threats, the ability to select the most appropriate BARAK interceptor system for air threats reduces logistics and reduces lifecycle costs.

A key advantage of the BARAK MX interceptor system is its outstanding performance characteristics. The BARAK MX interceptor warhead was designed as a surface-to-air missile (SAM) from the start, featuring a dual-pulse rocket motor and a larger diameter, allowing for a larger search radar and warhead. These features enable the BARAK MX to address a wider range of threats, with increased mobility and the potential for highly accurate target interception.

The BARAK MX air defense system can operate in all weather conditions, day and night, for point and area defense missions, and can be adapted to coordinated combat operations within a networked joint task force. It can counter a wide range of threats, including aircraft, helicopters, cruise bombs, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles, and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

(Thai Battlefield Defense)