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India revives joint missile project with French firm

Even as the indigenous surface-to-air missile Akash has failed to inspire enough confidence for deployment on Indian Navy ships, the government has asked the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to engage with the French firm MBDA missile systems for development of short-range surface-to-air missile system (SRSAM).

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Even as the indigenous surface-to-air missile Akash has failed to inspire enough confidence for deployment on Indian Navy ships, the government has asked the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to engage with the French firm MBDA missile systems for development of short-range surface-to-air missile system (SRSAM).

"DRDO will engage for development of nine SRSAMs which have 40 missiles each," a Navy source said.
This comes as a result of the decision taken to revive the $5 billion SRSAM programme 'Maitri' at the latest defence acquisition council (DAC) meeting of the ministry of defence (MoD) held on Saturday. Since 2007, no headway was made in the Maitri project which is a joint programme between the DRDO and the French firm MBDA.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy is also preparing to equip its warships with Israeli Barak-8 air-defence missile system which is to happen by the year end. "The DRDO- MBDA engagement, however, is for the next generation surface to air missile systems," said the source.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) , on the other hand has been expressing its willingness to use the indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile weapon system.

The decision is also being seen in the light of prime minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' push and his visit to France in the second week of April.

India and France are yet to seal the deal on the much talked about $20 billion contract for 126 French Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). India has also to make a decision on the $2 billion contract for eight Airbus A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport mid-air refuellers for the IAF.

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