John, you are completely mistaken.
Maitri is SRSAM, not QRSAM. SRSAM is being restarted since Navy wants it.
IAF and Army are on board for indigenous QRSAM and Akash Mk2.
Check both to understand that SRSAM was stalled and Akash was deemed sufficient by the IA and IAF. Note that Maitri is clearly mentioned as SRSAM.
http://www.defensenews.com/article/2014 ... ssile-Deal
http://www.livefistdefence.com/2015/02/ ... ce-in.html
So why QRSAM? Track on move capability. The IA wants a lighter system to be able to accompany its MBTs & scan for targets concurrently.
Chander goes on record noting Akash Mk-2 design efforts & QRSAM effort. Track on the move is to enable the SAMs to be mobile with the strike corps and to be an improvement on Akash in terms of mobility.
http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/sauravjha/2 ... ister.html
Avinash Chander: Our aim via the 'missile autonomy mission' is to cover a wider space as it were. Let me outline some of the new systems being progressed. A new man portable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) for which design is over and hardware is getting developed. A Longer ranged SAM with a range of 200-250 km is on the drawing board. A quick reaction SAM which can track on move is well-advanced in the design stage. An anti-radiation missile and a long range anti-ship missile which can prevent aircraft carriers from coming within 1500-2000 km of our shores are also being pursued.
Akash Mk-2 is also being worked on, but not funded yet as a formal program. It would enhance existing Akash and fit in between the Akash/QRSAM and LR/MRSAM categories.
If even this is not sufficient, look at Page 17 of the Standing Committee on Defence's report for 2014,15
QRSAM has a budget of Rs 476 Crores and is already underway.
The SRSAM aka Maitri has been resuscitated for the Indian Navy requirement in the recent trip to France. Navy wants a missile to take down low flying CM in sea clutter & believes MBDA assistance would speed it up. Also political reasons to keep relations with France on a good footing.
Fundamentally both QRSAM and SRSAM are SRSAMs (short range SAMs). Specifications of missiles will differ and configuration as well.