France keen to sell hi-tech weapons to India

Gen Malik, during his one-week trip which began on Monday, would hold talks with French defence officials to explore the possibility of acquiring modern weapon systems for the Army, ranging from battlefield surveillance radar to new systems for T-72 tanks.

The French side is interested in supplying the fire control systems for the T-72 tanks with the Indian Army which would add more strike power and endurance to the tank during harsh weather conditions, the sources said. India is currently involved in upgrading the T-72 M1 tanks by integrating a more powerful engine, improved armour and night fighting capability.

The Indian Army chief’s visit follows the visit of Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis in September. During the Air Chief’s visit France offered nuclear-capable Mirage-2000 D jets for the Indian Air Force apart from selling 10 additional Mirage-2000 H jets for the IAF to replace the lost ones.