A lot of rumours are being circulated about the VSHORAD programme, including speculation about poor integration of Mistral missile with the radar. What is happening on the programme?

Mistral performed exceptionally well in the firing evaluation trials for India, more than meeting India’s operational requirements and what was demanded of the missile system in mountain, desert and maritime conditions. Our system performed without any issue and was found fully compliant technically and operationally.

You have offered license-production of Mistral. Is this the requirement of the VSHORAD programme? Will this be undertaken by your joint venture with L&T or are you proposing technology transfer to a defence public sector undertaking as in the case of Milan?

As well as the operational advantages of the Mistral missile, there are major industrial advantages being offered if Mistral is selected for India’s VSHORAD r