MAR-1 SEAD Anti Radiation Missiles to be acquired by Pakistan

[Neo]

MAR-1 SEAD Anti Radiation Missiles to be acquired by Pakistan

January 1, 2009

Pakistan is acquiring 100 MAR-1 SEAD Anti Radiation air to surface missiles from Brazil based company Mectron. The deal is worth approximately $108 million and was signed in April, 2008. The detail information about these missiles can be found below from an article on Defence Industry Daily (DID) website

Anti-radiation missiles are designed to find, home in on, and destroy enemy air defense radars; they are often carried by specialist aircraft that accompany air strikes to perform the SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) mission. In contrast with other Mectron Engenharia missiles, such as the MAA-1 SRAAM or the forthcoming A-Darter partnership, Mectron appears to be working hard to avoid publicity for the MAR-1. The firm would not even acknowledge the missile’s existence for many years, and details remain sketchy. Pictures like this one show a MAR-1 that appears to be similar in size to counterparts like Raytheon’s AGM-88 HARM, and has a reported range of 25 km when launched from an altitude of about 33,000 feet/ 10 km. A sale to Pakistan, followed by integration into a platform like the Pakistani-Chinese JF-17 lightweight fighter, could also open up a number of new markets for Mectron

These missiles will increase the ability of Pakistan Air Force to hit the Air Defence Sites of our enemies. These missiles are generally carried by special planes attached with a formation to clear enemy air defence radars and hence technically blinding them. Pakistan arch rival India has used every method to stall the sale of these missiles to Pakistan and even used the Mumbai attacks to ask Brazil to cancel the deal but Brazil has plainly refused them. Brazilian Defence Minister said the following when forced to answer a query about the missile deal in the aftermath of Mumbai attacks:

Brazil negotiates with Pakistan, not with Pakistani terrorists.To cancel this deal would be to attribute terrorist activities to the Pakistani government.

[owais.usmani]

Delivery of 100 missiles from Brazil to start this year

ISLAMABAD/RIO De JANEIRO: The supply of 100 automatic Anti Radiant missiles (MAR-1) to Pakistan from Brazil would be started this year.

Defense sources informed Online that Government of Brazil on December 03, 2008 gave approval for the sale of 100 missiles to Pakistan, which can be used in air-to-surface attacks on radar tracking installations. After formal agreement, the supply of such missiles would be started to Pakistan from Brazil this year and would be completed in 2 or 3 years, sources said, adding that, the medium-range missiles is being made by Brazilian firm Mectron.

Sources went on to say that not only missiles would be given to Pakistan but also Brazilian authorities would impart training and other facilities to Pakistani authorities in this respect.

MAR-I having 25 to 30 kilometer range is anti-radiant missile and can be used in air to surface attack on radar tracking installations of enemy.

The Pakistan’s defense authorities were of the view that the defense capability of Pakistan would be increased after taking 100 missiles from Brazil.

Pakistan would also enter in ranks of those countries having names in defense technology because Brazilian firm would also impart training facility to country’s respective authorities in order to give missile technology to Pakistan, they said.



Delivery of 100 missiles from Brazil to start this year