CCS clears IAFs $2.4bn Mirage 2000 upgrade project

New Delhi: The cabinet committee on security (CCS) approved on Wednesday the upgrade of the Indian Air Force's Mirage 2000 fighter fleet at an estimated cost of over Rs10,000 crore ($2.4 billion).

The upgrade will involve supply of beyond visual range missiles, navigation, communications and electronic warfare equipment and are expected to add 20-25 years to the life of the Mirages.

The clearance came on Wednesday at a meeting of the CCS, India's apex defence policy-making body, chaired by prime minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, officials sources said.

The upgrade is expected to make the nearly two-decade old planes almost as potent as the Rafale and the Eurofighter which are competing in a tender to provide Indian $11 billion worth of next-generation fighters.

While the first lot, a handful, of fighters will be upgraded by Dassault in France the bulk of the two squadron strong fleet will be upgraded at India's Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in Bangalore.

The cost of the upgrade may work out to $7.9 million per aircraft, with the French firm, Thales being the lead integrator and missile manufacturer, MBDA will be the missile systems supplier.