MTAG 32-96: DRDO SEEKING SUPPORT FOR MISSILE

S E C R E T PARIS 005177 SIPDIS FOR NP/CBM E.O. 12958: DECL: 10 YEARS TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL MNUC IN FR MTCRE SUBJECT: MTAG 32-96: DRDO SEEKING SUPPORT FOR MISSILE PROGRAM FROM FRANCE'S SAGEM (S): DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: SECSTATE 129219 Classified By: EST Counselor Robert W. Dry for Reasons 1.5 (c), (d),(h). ¶1. (S) On 20 July 2005, EST officer delivered reftel non-paper on India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) efforts to obtain support from the French firm SAGEM to French Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Point of Contact (POC) David Bertolotti. Bertolotti appreciated receiving the points. He commented that he would pass the information to the appropriate French operational and technical agencies, and would provide formal response to EST officer following completion of investigations. Bertolotti remarked that, while not a technical expert, he wondered whether the gyroscopes and accelerometers cited in the non-paper could be reverse-engineered for use in India's ballistic missile program. STAPLETON