Dassault Aviation delivered the first two upgraded Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 fighters from its Flight Test Centre in Istres on Thursday.
The $2 billion upgrade contract signed in July 2011, will extend the life of aircraft by another 10-15 years. The old analogue instrument cockpit of the 1980s, has been replaced with an all-glass cockpit.
The upgraded fighters are designated Mirage 2000I, while the twin-seat trainer is designated Mirage 2000TI.
Under the deal, the remaining 48 (one crashed) IAF Mirage aircraft will be upgraded from India, by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, with technical know how and upgrade kits supplied from France, in the coming 7-10 years.
The maiden flight of the first upgraded Mirage 2000 was completed successfully by Dassault on the 5th October 2013, following a two year development phase dedicated to the equipment kit provided by Thales including the radar, the electronic warfare suite and the mission computer.
The upgrade include a new Thales RDY-3 radar with greater air-air and air-ground capability, a new night vision compatible all-digital cockpit, improved electronic warfare systems, helmet-mounted display and MBDA’s MICA heat seeking medium range missiles.
The upgrade which costs more than the price of aircraft when it was bought in 1985-88, will help arrest the dwindling IAF fighter squadron levels, which is down to 34, against the 45 required to fight a perceived two front war with China and Pakistan.
India is also in advanced stage of final negotiations with Dassault to buy 126 Dassault Rafale fighters for over $20 billion.
