France wants $6-bn Maitri missile deal inked

Paris/New Delhi, December 28

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With the Indo-French $6 billion surface-to-air missile system project in doldrums, France is hoping that the new government’s push for “Make in India” will lead to inking of the long-delayed deal.

France remains hopeful of signing the deal although Indian armed forces are sceptical about the missile since indigenously developed Akash is in play.

The missile system project, titled Maitri, was initiated in 2007. It aims at joint development and production of the missile system between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and France’s MBDA. An MoU to co-develop the surface-to-air missile (SRSAM) was signed during French President Francois Hollande’s visit to India in February last year.

Since then, the situation has changed as the Indian Air Force feels its requirements could be met by indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile weapon system.

Asked about reservations by the Air Force, a top MBDA official in Paris said, “We have written back answering the issues raised by the IAF. We are hopeful that this deal will be inked soon.”

The official at the MBDA also said the “Make in India” project was apt for the deal.

He added while the range of SRSAM would be 40 km, Akash’s range was only 25 km.

Indian Air Force sources said they had nothing against the Maitri project per se, but would prefer to use the available Akash missile rather than wait for the Indo-French ones to come.

“The Maitri project can go on, but we want missiles and Akash is serving the purpose,” sources said.

Refusing to comment about the Maitri project, sources in the DRDO said the Akash missile was already in play and was based on a platform similar to Maitri.

“SRSAM is part of our strategic dialogue with India and is raised whenever top officials and leaders from both sides meet. We believe a lot of information has been handed over after the new government took over in Delhi,” an MBDA official said.

French officials said both Akash and Maitri could be inducted as the two would improve overall weapon system of India.

The MBDA believes the Maitri will be better for India as it will be “more cost-effective to develop a new missile than to upgrade a missile based on outdated propulsion”.

As per the deal, the Maitri missiles will be produced only in India and the first deliveries will happen three years after the agreement is signed. India can also export the missile with “MBDA support”. — PTI