By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI
NEW DELHI — The Indian Defence Ministry has sent a global request for information for short-range, surface-to-air missiles (SRSAMs), throwing into question an existing deal with the French for the same weapon for the Indian Navy.
The $5 billion Maitri missile deal was conceived eight years ago and is a joint project between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and France’s MBDA. The missiles are to have a 25-kilometer range and were supposed to be used by Indian defense forces.
Originally, the Army, Air Force and Navy had a requirement for the missile, but the first two services have since found other solutions, leaving the Navy without a SRSAM unless the Maitri or another solution appears.
“Maitri seems to be heading for a dead end,” a senior Indian Navy official said.
A Defence Ministry source said six years of protracted negotiations between DRDO and MBDA have yielded a finalized work-share agreement, adding that the deal awaits only final clearance by New Delhi.
“The government of the day will have to decide whether to go ahead with the project or not,” the source added.
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