Nod for short-range surface-to-air missile soon

BDL has so far produced 1,2 and 2T versions of the missile.

A final nod from the Indian government on the Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile SR SAM project is expected shortly. The project involves joint development of short-range surface-to-air missile for the three services by technology transfer from European MBDA in joint development with DRDO and Bharat Dynamics Limited BDL as the production agency.

The announcement of completion of negotiations between the two governments was made in a joint statement during French President Francoise Hollandes visit to India in February. Loic Piedevache,country head,MBDA,said,We are expecting the project to be finalised very shortly. We look at India as a long-term strategic partner.

The missile is to be developed in two variants ship-based variant for the Navy and land-based for the Indian Army as well as the IAF.

The consortiums another flagship project Milan 2T is expected to be further extended and contract for the same is likely to be signed soon according to Piedevache. The modalities of production are still in discussion phase with BDL, he said.

It may be noted that the Defence Acquisition Council recently approved procurement of additional Milan 2T portable anti-tank missiles for the infantry. This,when the original manufacturer has moved to a more advanced extended range ER version of the missile.

BDL has so far produced 1,2 and 2T versions of the missile. The consortiums PARS 3LR missile has also been one of the contenders for arming HALs Rudra platform along with Israel. While the field evaluation trials were completed about a year ago in Sweden,a final decision from the MoD and the Army is awaited. HAL had handed over the first weapon systems integrated version of ALH to the Army in Aero India 2013.

While the increasing importance to the strategic cooperation between India and France was further underlined during former foreign secretary Ranjan Mathais Paris visit in June that listed defence as one of the pillars of strategic cooperation between the two nations,the DRDO in September 2011 had inked a deal with Defence Science and Technology Laboratory DSTL for increased cooperation between the two nations.

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The consortium which has been working with the British MoD on various funded missile projects has also made presentations to the Indian agencies according to its UK officials.

This correspondent is travelling to Germany and the UK on invitation from MBDA