In an attempt to strengthen its fleet of fourth-generation fighters, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to acquire 24 second-hand Mirage 2000 fighters, made by Dassault Aviation.
The IAF will also secure parts for its two existing squadrons of the aircraft.
According to a Hindustan Times report, people in the know have said that IAF has initiated a contract worth €27 million with the manufacturer to buy the fighters, eight of which are in ready-to-fly condition.
The report also revealed that these aircraft, which will cost €1.125 million each, will soon be shipped to India in containers.
The Mirage-2000 is undoubtedly one of the IAF's most versatile and deadliest aircraft and it was first commissioned in 1985.
Soon after inducting the Mirage, IAF gave it the name — Vajra — meaning lightning thunderbolt in Sanskrit. It is developed by Dassault Aviation and took its first flight in 1978 and was inducted into the French Air Force in 1984.
India had placed an initial order of 36 single-seater Mirage-2000 and four twin-seater Mirage 2000 in 1982 as an answer to Pakistan buying United States-made F-16 fighter jets by Lockheed Martin.
The Mirage-2000 played a decisive role in the 1999 war of Kargil and turned it in India’s favour.
In 2004, the government placed an additional order of 10 Mirage-2000 planes taking the total tally to 50 jets.
17/09/21 First Post
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