Indian Air Force, Thales, Dassault Rushing Mirage Fighter Upgrade Negotiations

Indian Air Force, Thales, Dassault Rushing Mirage Fighter Upgrade Negotiations (NSI News Source Info) November 10, 2008: The Indian air force appears eager to conclude negotiations with Thales and Dassault Aviation on the offset package for the upgrade of India's 51 Mirage 2000s to the 2000-5 standard (M-2000H/TH upgrade), according to executives here.

Indian Air Force Mirage 2000s

It is likely that the contract will be signed before India's general elections in early 2009. But if it's delayed, there is concern there could be a delay of at least two years and an escalation in costs. Thales is not willing to disclose the value of the contract, expected to finish price negotiations by mid-November. A military official says the aircraft fleet is running dangerously low, under 29 squadrons -- 10 less than the minimum required.The new capabilities include longer-range detection and weapon firing against multiple targets and an extended operating envelope that will allow a border-protection mission, for instance, with two upgraded Mirages instead of the current six, according to Thales.Once the order is given, within 40 months Thales has committed to retrofitting two aircraft of the first phase in the initial operational configuration, which includes French equipment. Another two will be retrofitted in Bangalore along with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL). The remaining 47 will be assembled in India."The project is part of a broader strategic partnership between France and India to be implemented under a government-to-government agreement," says Pierre-Yves Chaltiel, senior vice president for Thales aerospace government programs."We'll give India a good level of autonomy," says Gerard Christmann, Thales vice president and general manager of electronic combat solutions in the aerospace division.The Indian air force and HAL soon will discuss the second phase to organize rotation of the Mirage fleet to maintain some aircraft. Efforts include integration of indigenous equipment, including the Israeli Litening pod that India is not purchasing from Thales.Thales, which has been successful in making its industrial imprint in India with 350 employees in six locations, says it is exploring cooperation with Indian companies on the technical side of new equipment for missile seekers, as well as radar technology.The multitrack RDY-3 radar being equipped in the Mirage is the same generation the French air force is equipping on its M-2000D, with an increased range from 40 to 50 nautical miles compared with the existing Radar Doppler Multifunction system.