DRDO's premier missile laboratory - the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) - and European missile house MBDA will jointly develop a new-generation low-level, quick-reaction missile (LLQRM) system, known as 'Maitri', for the Indian Navy and Air Force.
The project is said to be worth $500 million and is to be signed in May between the Hyderabad-based DRDL and MBDA. It is retry to revive the work done under the unsuccessful Trishul LLQRM project, which had been all but scrapped last autumn following repeated rejections by Army and Air Force officials for failing to meet required parameters.
Scientists are preparing a feasibility study to launch the Maitri program, the formal clearance for which is expected to be given by the Defence Ministry in the next two months, DRDL sources said.
Defence Ministry sources here said the government is in talks with MBDA to finalize the development deal. They said that the DRDL in July persuaded the Defence Ministry to revive the Trishul work, and talks were held between Israel's Rafael and MBDA on a possible partnership.
French Embassy diplomats here would not comment on whether MBDA was collaborating on the Maitri project, but said France and India have cooperated on missile programs for decades.
A delegation from the French Defense Ministry, led by Francis Lureau, chief executive of French arms-procurement agency D