IAF Mirage Upgrade by France

After protracted negotiations, a deal worth $2.2 billion for the mid-life upgrade of the fleet of 51 Mirage 2000 combat aircraft acquired by the IAF in the mid eighties in response to the supply of F-16 fighters to Pakistan by the US, is expected to be finalised shortly. The package, designed to convert this ageing fleet into next-generation fighters, will include upgrade of airborne radar, weapon suites, missiles and electronic warfare systems.

Meanwhile, as per reports in the French media, possibly on request or pressure from India, Sarkozy’s government has decided to suspend sales to Pakistan of $1.6 billion worth of electronics and missiles to upgrade China-supplied JF-17 fighters. This is a part of a larger deal signed earlier with Pakistan.

The other concerns as per the reports are about Pakistan’s ability to cope with the huge financial outlay as also the safety of the sophisticated technology being provided to Islamabad. French hardware is generally priced high and India had received offers from other countries including Israel to upgrade the Mirage 2000 fleet at competitive prices.

However, the French strategy of offering similar equipment to Pakistan could have been aimed at softening India’s stand on price negotiations and close the deal quickly. But India resorted to some hard bargaining by not succumbing to French tactics on pricing.