France has agreed in principle to provide technology for Cruise missiles to India but neither side was willing to spell out their range.
Describing the development as a major boost to Indo-French "strategic relationship,'' Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told journalists that a "decision has been taken to develop the Cruise missiles. But it has to be worked out what type they will be."
Mukherjee met French Defence Minister Michele-Alliot Marie for an hour on Monday. Since India's present arsenal includes Brahmos, with a range of nearly 300 km, the technology transfer and joint production India is seeking from Paris would mean anything above this — a limit that would invite the attention of the MTCR (missile technology control regime) and also a reaction from other countries.
But the Agreement on Technical Arrangement mentioned in Mukherjee's programme with Marie did not materialize because of a "technical'' hitch that needed the Cabinet Committee on Security's sanction. Perhaps to scotch speculations of the "hitch,'' Mukherjee said India and France had moved much beyond the "buyer-seller'' relationship --- a point echoed by Marie. There was enough indication that the agreement would be signed "very soon'' between India's DRDO and France's MBDA.
This would be "pathbreaking'' for India as it does not have any cooperation in missile development technology. France is perhaps looking at India to buy its 126 multi-role fighter aircraft in return. But the Mukherjee-Maria interaction showed there still existed perceptional gaps.
{{/usCountry}}This would be "pathbreaking'' for India as it does not have any cooperation in missile development technology. France is perhaps looking at India to buy its 126 multi-role fighter aircraft in return. But the Mukherjee-Maria interaction showed there still existed perceptional gaps.
{{/usCountry}}While India was looking to moving fast to seek the transfer of technology to close the technological gap, Marie favoured a systematic and step-by-step and evolutionary approach in tune with the expansion of India's technological base.
Mukherjee was also keen that France maintain the sanctity of the "strategic'' relationship'' between the two countries - something which is seen as not being observed when Paris sells the same sophisticated arms or missiles to Pakistan or China as well.
The talks focused on four major areas: defence cooperation, including joint production, co production, technology transfer and availability of spares as well as joint training, exercise and participation at an institutional level.