India to Modernise Mirage 2000 Fighter Aircraft Fleet

Indian MoD approves $2.4 billion upgrade contract for Dassault, Thales, MBDA

 14.07.2011 defpro.com

With another recently approved multi-billion dollar defence contract, India is giving its armed forces modernisation efforts a significant push. According to AFP, Defence Secretary Shri Pradeep Kumar approved the offer by leading French defence companies Dassault and Thales, as well as by the European MBDA group, to upgrade India’s ageing fleet of Mirage 2000 ‘Vajra’ fighter aircraft at a cost of some $2.4 billion.

Although the contract has not been officially confirmed, the Press Trust of India news agency reported that the contract was approved on Wednesday by the Indian cabinet committee on security. In line with the Indian government’s major efforts to modernise and increase the quantity of military equipment, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) agreed to move ahead with this programme, after being delayed in 2006, in particular, due to price issues.

Operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) since the mid-1980s, the 51 French-built fighter aircraft are a major asset for the country’s armed forces, providing important air-to-ground strike capabilities, including nuclear strikes. However, having performed well in the 1999 Kargil War and having been in service for more than 25 years, the aircraft urgently require major retrofits to effectively continue its service with the IAF.

Despite the aircraft’s age, its role was recently underlined by the former IAF Air Chief Marshal, Fali Major, who told the Hindustan Times: “The Mirage 2000 is the most important aircraft in the air force’s fleet, after the Sukhoi-30.” He further emphasised that the upgrade was “crucial” to closing the capabilities gap until the aircraft from the MMRCA programme are introduced into service.

The upgrade programme which, reportedly, will include the integration of advanced navigation systems, mission computers, electronic warfare systems and radar, is expected to add another 20 to 25 service years to the Indian Mirage 2000 fleet. According to an AFP source, “work is likely to take nine years and will see two of the Mirages being re-fitted in France,” while the remaining aircraft will be upgraded by Bangalore-headquartered Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

INDIAN AIRCRAFT PROCUREMENT SOARING HIGH

The Indian Air Force received much international attention due to its record aircraft procurement programmes. Most prominently, this includes the so-called MMRCA competition, which is to provide the IAF with 126 latest-generation multi-role fighter aircraft for a projected $10.4 billion and in which Dassault’s Rafale and Eurofighter’s Typhoon have been shortlisted.[1]

Another major contract was recently signed by the Indian MoD and the U.S. government for the purchase of ten Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft through the US foreign military sale (FMS) programme, awarding Boeing with a $4.1 billion contract and making India the largest C-17 export customer.[2]

In addition, India ordered six Lockheed Martin C-130J-30s in 2008 for some $1.1 billion for its special operations forces, with an option for six additional aircraft, and is waiting for the delivery of 12 Boeing P-8I Poseidons for the Navy, with delivery expected to begin in 2013 at a cost of almost $3 billion.

Finally, defpro.com reported in late June 2011 that India finalised a $1 billion dollar contract with Pilatus Aircraft for 75 of its PC-7 MkII trainer aircraft, representing the largest-ever contract for the Swiss company’s single-engine turboprop trainer. In addition, Pilatus could, reportedly, be granted with options for up to 200 additional aircraft for the IAF.[3]

Together with the IAF’s primary air superiority fighter, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI (a total of 272 of these Russian-built multi-role fighter aircraft have been ordered at a unit cost of $35.9 million), India has been establishing the region’s largest and most capable air force and has jumped to the top of the world’s largest importers of military equipment.

According to a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India has become the world’s largest arms importer, having received 9 per cent of the volume of international arms transfers between 2006 and 2010, with Russian deliveries accounting for 82 per cent of Indian arms imports.[4]


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By Nicolas von Kospoth, Managing Editor


NOTES:
[1] “Europe Wins Indian MMRCA Competition – Or So It Seems”, http://goo.gl/2UEyW
[2] “Boeing to Build 10 C-17 Airlifters for Indian Air Force”, http://goo.gl/H6UWr
[3] “Indian Air Force to Purchase 75 Pilatus PC-7 Trainer Aircraft”, http://goo.gl/BpDSc
[4] “SIPRI: India is World's Largest Arms Importer”, http://goo.gl/nU5e6