DRDO, French firm tie-up for short-range missile

After its recent success in selling its Milan-2T anti-tank guided missiles to the Indian Army, France-based MBDA is hoping to co-develop a short range surface-to-air missile (SR-SAM) with India.

"We are discussing the development of missiles with Indian agencies in this regard and are hoping for a positive outcome," MBDA spokesperson Mati Hindrekus told PTI at Aero India here.

DRDO had issued a global Request for Proposal (RFP) last year for developing a SR-SAM with range of over 15 kilometres. If successful, MBDA would co-develop the new missile and launcher, "marrying" technology and capabilities of the European company and the DRDO, he said.

Hindrekus said BDL would be the prime contractor and produce and integrate the weapon system. The choice of radar would be an Indian one, he said, adding that the missile would have range of over 15 kilometres.

MBDA is involved in the modernisation of the Indian Mirage 2000 fleet, which will upgrade the fighter's capabilities to fire the infrared and electromagnetic versions of the Mica air-to-air missile.

There were no plans for a ground strike capability, he said. Recently, Indian Army placed an order for 4,100 Milan-2T anti-tank missiles from MBDA after the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes.

The latest version of Milan would be license-produced at Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) facilities in Hyderabad. For over 30 years, Indian Army has used earlier variants of Milan missiles and they have been produced by BDL in India.

On MBDA's other offers to India, Hindrekus said it was offering its package of missiles with three of the six aircraft participating in Indian Air Force's 126 multi-role combat aircraft programme.

"MBDA is supporting the three European fighters -- Eurofighter, Gripen and Rafale, which are in contention for the 126 MRCA contract," Hindrekus said.

MBDA is offering the latest versions of its air-to-air MICA missiles as part of the Mirage-2000 upgrade plan of the IAF.

Indian Navy's Scorpene submarines will also be armed with MBDA's Exsocet missiles, he said.