- India plans self-reliance in production of missiles for defense purposes by 2022
- India successfully test launches Astra missile from Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter
- First Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter armed with BrahMos missile handed over to Indian Air force
- Increased focus on Tor missile system expected at Aero India-2015 — company
- Russian defense minister visits BrahMos missile production site in India
NEW DELHI, April 3. /TASS/. India's council on defense procurement has approved plans of developing a Maitri short-range surface-to-air missile jointly with France, The Hindu reported Friday.
According to the edition's source at the defense ministry, the missile is to be developed by India's Defense Research & Development Organization and France's MBDA, a leading European player in the sphere of missile systems.
The agreement on understanding was signed in 2013 but then the process stalled as the Maitri missile possesses similar characteristics to the Akash missile that is already in service in teh Indian Armed Forces. However, the Indian Navy said that Akash can't be installed on ships.
It's expected that the issue will be discussed during Indian prime minister's visit to France on April 9-12.