08:39 GMT, June 23, 2008 According to Indian Newspapers European MBDA, Indian Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) are planning to co-produce surface-to-air missiles (SAM) - named MAITRI – replacing the Indo-Russian Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles.

While India is about to substitute its entire range of surface-to-air missiles in order to sort out the ageing SAM series procured from the former Soviet Union in the late 60's and 70's, the Indo-European approach is aimed to fulfill the demand of Indian Army, Navy and Air Force to cover up the significant gap in the country's air defence. Therefore India’s Army floated a 2 billion € contract for purchasing 1.000 short-range quick reaction missiles.

"Our missile industry officials are in intense negotiations with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and India's missile producer Bharat Dynamics Limited for setting up such a joint venture," Antoine Bouvier, CEO of the European Missile Consortium MBDA, told the Indian newspaper "The Hindu".

The European proposal is compliant with the views expressed by Indian Defence Minister A. K. Antony and DRDO chief M. Natarajan. Both have voiced preference for taking on board an experienced foreign company. It is deemed to be an open secret that DRDO is looking for outside expertise for seeker and guidance systems.

“The decision to field the MBDL-BDL-DRDO MAITRI missile was not easy. We could have responded with products here. But want to give priority to our long-term vision. The intention is to offer systems produced entirely in India rather than those that are partly made”, Bouvier pointed out and added: “It is not our intention to keep the expertise within the company. We have Indian partners with autonomy of operations and that has developed their expertise.”

MBDA’s entry in the ongoing negotiations was eased by the fact that Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI), who received a similar Indian Air Force contract for the quick reaction missile “Trishul”, is under investigation by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation for alleged payments to a middlemen during a missile deal eight years ago and therefore freezed.

"Deccan Herald" another Indian newspaper quotes MBDA Chief Executive Bouvier: "We can make a start with making of short range up to 9 kms range surface-to-air missile and later graduate to producing medium range, up to 30 kms, and long range, up to 50 kms SAMs." Due to his remarks MAITRI weapon system will be able to be operated accurately by India’s 3D and 2D radars developed by DRDO.