Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fleet of fighter jets will soon include ‘Mirage 2000 fighter jets’, which smash terrorist targets in Pakistan. The Indian Air Force deals with 24 second-hand Mirage 2000 fighters in an effort to bolster its aging fleet of fourth-generation fighters and secure parts of the two existing squadrons. has done.
This aircraft is also made by the same Dassault Aviation which has made Rafale fighter aircraft for India. According to the Hindustan Times report, the IAF has signed a contract worth 27 million euros (Rs 233.67 crore) to buy the fighter jets.
Out of these 24 fighter planes, 8 are in ready to fly condition. According to the information, the cost of a fighter aircraft in this aircraft deal is 1.125 million euros (Rs 9.73 crore). These aircraft will soon be sent to India in containers.
Why was this deal needed?
IAF’s 35-year-old fighter aircraft Mirage, which successfully completed the Balakot operation in 2019, is being updated. Officials said that for this there is an urgent need of 300 critical spare parts. These aircraft are going out of circulation in France, so the deal of these aircraft will strengthen the Indian Air Force’s fleet of fighter aircraft.
The engines and airframes of 13 of these 24 fighter jets are in good condition, of which eight (about half a squadron) will be ready to fly after servicing. At the same time, 11 fighter planes are partially ready with fuel tanks and ejection seats, which will be used for modification of two existing squadrons of fighter jets of the Indian Air Force.
The IAF had procured around 50 fourth generation Mirage 2000 C and B fighter jets in 1985 with a maintenance contract that expired in 2005. This was followed by another contract with the French original equipment manufacturer in 2015-2016. After which in 2015, India got upgraded Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft which were equipped with new radar and electronic systems.
The deal highlights the importance of moving spare parts and engines to India for future acquisitions, as fighter aircraft reach obsolescence much faster abroad than in India. The Mirage 2000 was India’s frontline fighter until the Narendra Modi government struck a deal for the 4.5 generation Rafale fighter aircraft (also from Dassault). It has strengthened the Indian fleet since the Kargil war till now. Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, it should be ensured that the original equipment and spare parts of fighter aircraft are now manufactured in India so that there is no shortage of spares till the fighter aircraft is in service.
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Why is the Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft special?
The specialty of Mirage-2000 is that it can fly at a speed of 2,336 kilometers per hour. This double-engined aircraft is capable of carrying 13,800 kg of ammunition. This fourth generation fighter aircraft played an important role in the Kargil war. This fighter aircraft is used by the armies of 9 countries.
Due to having two engines in this fighter plane, in case of failure of one, the other engine keeps on working and this reduces the chances of the plane crashing. This aircraft has the ability to eliminate the enemy in the air. Also, it can carry out heavy bombing and missile attacks simultaneously.
This fighter aircraft is fitted with DEFA 554 autocannon, which is armed with 30 mm revolver type cannon. This cannon can fire 1800 bullets in a minute. Also, this aircraft is capable of carrying air-to-surface missiles, sky-to-sky missiles, laser guided missiles and cruise missiles equipped with nuclear warheads.
