MBDA has invited India to participate in the multinational Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) program, aligning with India’s ambitions for indigenous defense capabilities. This collaboration aims to develop the STRATUS missile families, enhancing India’s expertise alongside European partners in countering modern air and maritime threats. While the initiative presents opportunities for technology transfer and local production, concerns exist regarding India’s commitment, given existing projects like Nirbhay and BrahMos-II. Analysts note the missile’s conservative design may sacrifice stealth for reliability, raising questions about its effectiveness against advanced air defenses. Overall, this engagement reflects India’s growing role in global defense partnerships and the potential for bolstering its military capabilities amidst evolving geopolitical challenges.