The Indian Air Force is exploring purchase of French Mirage fighters to maintain effective airpower strength as an interim measure in the wake of delays in finalising the contract for buying 126 multi-role Combat Aircraft.
"We are in negotiations with France for supply of some number of Mirage-2000-5," Air Chief S P Tyagi told newsmen in New Delhi. Negotiations had also been revived with Qatar for purchase of 12 Mirage fighters, he said.
The IAF is taking these emergency measures in the wake of reports that its fighting squadron strength has plunged to a low of 39 squadrons and reports that Pakistan is on the threshold of buying more F-16 fighters from United States.
Tyagi disclosed that India was close to wrapping up a deal to purchase quick reaction surface to air missiles from Israel. Under the deal, India proposes to buy 18 Spyder missiles systems in a deal worth more than Rs 1,800 crore.
Asserting that government was 'alive and responsive' to requests by the IAF on measures to tide over depleting force levels, he also outlined that Hindustan Aeronautics had increased production of Sukhoi-30MKI fighters. He also said that IAF would go in for purchase of six more IL-78 mid-air refuellers.
While saying that the proposed induction of lethal military platforms and system in the country's neighbourhood was a cause of concern, the Air Chief said that these arms purchases by Pakistan had already been factored by the country's strategic planners.
Maintaining that the IAF's vision was to acquire 'strategic reach' and trans-oceanic capability, Tyagi said IAF was preparing for induction of British Hawk advanced jet trainers and airborne and early warning system (AWACS) aircraft by next year.
He also said that the force would be getting 20 additional upgraded Jaguars and 20 indigenous Light Combat aircraft by 2009.
"We are also taking measures to upgrade our air superiority MIG-29 and Mirage-2000 fighters," the Air Chief said. Though, he did not elaborate on interim purchases of Mirages, highly-placed sources said the effort was being made to go in for government to government deal. A high-level French delegation is in town for negotiations on the deal.
Modernisation and upgradation is not being confined to fighters, Tyagi said outlining that from next year IAF would be inducting 80 new helicopters as well as initiating measures to upgrade it present fleet of Russian Mi-17 helicopters, AN-32 medium lift and IL-76 heavy lift transport aircraft.
On AWACS induction, Tyagi, who recently visited Israel to oversee the building of the aircraft by a three way joint collaboration between Israel, Russia and India, said preparatory work on the project was going on for setting up of special labs and installations for data receiving.
