Analysis
Analysis: Barak MX, the common air-defence “dome” of Greece and Cyprus with missiles out to 150 km that troubles Ankara, with IAI’s official video
Analysis: IAI’s official video of the Barak MX, its four interceptors from 15 to 150 km, the architecture of the system and its role in Greece’s “Achilles Shield” and in Cyprus, where the National Guard already operates it.
If David’s Sling is the “roof” of the “Achilles Shield” and the SPYDER AIO its mobile point protection, then Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Barak MX is its backbone. It is the system that will cover the middle zone, where most fighters, cruise missiles and large drones operate, and it is the first element of the Greek order that is already operating on Greek soil, in Cyprus. Its basic idea, which comes across clearly in IAI’s official video, is simple: one command system, four interceptors from 15 to 150 kilometres, all with their own radar seeker, all fired from the same vertical launchers.
The video, about two minutes long, was posted on IAI’s official channel in summer 2026. It shows both a naval firing from an Israeli warship and the land configuration, with launchers in containers and the command elements. For the Greek reader the interest lies in the second part, because Greece is acquiring the land version. The naval version is the same family of missiles in ship-based vertical launch cells, which is why IAI presents the Barak MX as a single air-defence network for land and sea.
The four Barak MX interceptors
According to IAI, the family has four interceptors that share many common components and can engage targets from 2 to 150 km. The Barak SR reaches 15 km, the Barak MR (formerly MRAD) 35 km with a single-pulse motor, the Barak LR (formerly LRAD) 70 km with a double-pulse motor, and the Barak ER 150 km, with a double-pulse motor plus a booster. The double-pulse motor keeps part of its energy for the terminal phase, so that the missile still has speed and agility as it closes on the target, which is where it is decided whether it will hit. All have an active radar seeker, which means that in the final phase the missile finds the target on its own and the ground radar does not need to “illuminate” it to the end.
The practical value of this architecture is greater than the numbers suggest. Because the missiles are launched vertically, a battery covers 360 degrees without turning its launchers, and because all the missiles “talk” to the same battle-management system (BMC), the operator can choose the cheapest missile that is enough for each threat. A drone at 10 km does not need a Barak ER, while a fighter that fires a cruise missile from 100 km cannot be countered by a short-range system. For a country that, in a crisis, would face fighters, drones and loitering munitions at the same time, this management of stocks is critical.
The role of Barak MX in Greek air defence
In the Greek architecture, as described in our analysis of the Achilles Shield, the Barak MX covers the middle zone, between David’s Sling and the SPYDER AIO. Airspace surveillance is handled by the MMR multi-mission radars of ELTA, an IAI subsidiary, which are included in the agreement of roughly EUR 3 billion of August 31, 2026. According to press reports, the Barak MX will gradually replace the ageing HAWK, but the distribution of batteries by branch and region has not been officially announced. As with the whole Shield, its real value will be judged by its connection to the new national command-and-control system and to the Patriots, an issue, together with control of the source code, that we have also analysed.
What makes the Barak MX distinctive for Hellenism is Cyprus. The National Guard already has it in service, as we have recorded in our analysis of the capabilities and missiles of the Cypriot Barak MX, and elements of it appeared at the parade of October 1, 2026. When Greece also acquires the same system, the two countries will have a common air-defence platform, with all that implies for exchanging the air picture, training operators, spare parts and missile stocks. We assess that this interoperability, more than the 150 km range, is the real strategic gain of the choice.
IAI’s official video of the Barak MX is on the company’s YouTube channel.
Barak MX: frequently asked questions
What is the Barak MX?
It is a network-centric air-defence system from Israel Aerospace Industries. A common battle-management system handles four interceptors of different range, launched vertically from ground launchers or from ships.
What is the range of the Barak MX?
According to IAI, the Barak SR reaches 15 km, the Barak MR 35 km, the Barak LR 70 km and the Barak ER 150 km. All have an active radar seeker.
Is Greece getting the Barak MX?
Yes. The Barak MX is one of the three Israeli systems of the “Achilles Shield”, together with David’s Sling and the SPYDER AIO, under the agreement of August 31, 2026. The distribution of batteries has not been announced.
What will the Barak MX replace?
According to press reports, it will gradually replace the HAWK. There is no official announcement on which systems are being withdrawn or when.
Does Cyprus have the Barak MX?
Yes. The National Guard has the Barak MX in service, and elements of it were shown at the parade of October 1, 2026. With the Greek acquisition, Greece and Cyprus will have a common air-defence platform.
