Missile deal on the cards

Singh, Sarkozy aim at efforts to strengthen defence ties

“We deeply appreciate France’s willingness to supply us advanced defence technologies in a way that contributes to the modernisation of our defence industry,” Singh said while addressing a joint press-conference with visiting French President Nicholas Sarkozy.
Sarkozy said France had clinched a series of commercial deals worth $20 billion with India during his visit.

He also called for joint proposals to push his reform agenda for the G-20, including in the international monetary system and commodities prices. France is set to assume presidency of the bloc that has emerged as the premier forum for international economic cooperation.  

Though no defence agreement was signed after Singh and Sarkozy headed the delegation-level talks at the Hyderabad House, the French President said the deal to upgrade Mirage 2000 jets of the IAF would possibly be signed soon.   

French companies Thales and Dassault Aviation will upgrade the 51 Mirage-2000 jets of the IAF. The $ 2.2 billion deal will include refitting of avionics, sensors, electronic warfare suite and weapon system in the jets manufactured by the Dassault Aviation. The first batch of Mirage 2000s was inducted into the IAF in mid-1980s.

Short-range missile

The European missile maker MBDA will also develop short-range surface-to-air missile or SRSAM for India in collaboration with the latter’s Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO).

In the joint statement issued after Singh-Sarkozy meet, India and France welcomed “the on-going efforts and future prospects for joint programmes in defence industry, which would include joint research and development and transfer of technology.” The two countries also agreed to launch cooperation in India’s Kaveri Light Combat Aircraft engine programme.

Singh said he and Sarkozy “renewed determination to achieve (India-France) trade target of 12 billion Euros by 2012.”

He said New Delhi was grateful to Paris for France’s consistent support to India’s bid for permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council and for favouring India’s full membership at the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, Australian Group and Wassenaar Arrangement. The US had last month supported India’s membership for the four multi-lateral export control regime during President Barack Obama’s visit to Delhi.

France also supported India’s position on Afghanistan. Sarkozy shared Singh’s concerns “at the continuing existence of safe havens and sanctuaries for terrorist groups beyond the borders of Afghanistan and resurgence of terrorist groups” – as the joint statement put it, indirectly referring to Pakistan. The two countries called on “the neighbours of Afghanistan to play a constructive role conducive to the country’s stabilisation and development in its regional environment.”

Recalling that two French citizens were also killed along with hundreds of Indians in the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai, Sarkozy said Pakistan must combat the menace of terrorism with determination.