Paris: An agreement on upgradation of 51
French-made Mirage fighters is expected to be discussed during
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s visit here beginning today.
During the talks between Singh and French President
Nicholas Sarkozy here tomorrow, the two sides are also
expected to discuss various other collaborative proposals in
the defence field.
India had about two years ago decided to upgrade the 51
aircraft fleet of Mirages flown currently by three IAF
squadrons.
A Request for Proposal was issued over a year ago and
at present, negotiations are nearing completion over the cost
of the upgrades that would include better avionics and weapon
systems.
IAF had inducted Mirages into its fleet in the mid-1980s
and the upgrade is intended to increase its service life by
another 25 years, Indian Defence Ministry officials said.
The issue is expected to be discussed during the
Singh-Sarkozy talks. Indian Defence secretary Vijay Singh will
also be present.
Another major `big-ticket` deal in the pipeline is the
126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA), which India
intends to acquire. The Request for Proposal for the same was
issued in late 2007.
French company D`assault is competing in the bid for the
MMRCA deal with its Rafale fighter aircraft against six others
that include two US, a Russian, and a Swiss company, and a
European consortium, of which France is a part.
The MMRCA deal, worth over USD 9 billion, is likely to
be finalised in another couple of years and the bids`
evaluation has reached the flight trials stage in which Rafale
would be participating later this year.
Another major deal with India that the French are
interested in is the bid for 197 light observation helicopters
(LOH) in which the EADS` Eurocopter is one of the five
contenders.
India`s quest for six more air-to-air refuellers has
led it to zero-in on EADS` Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker
Transport (MRTT) aircraft manufactured in France.
IAF already has three IL-78 refuellers that have
enhanced its fighter jets` strategic reach. These refuellers
have helped Indian fighter jets to fly for longer hours during
visits to the US and UK for air exercises through midair
refuelling.
India is also looking at increasing its diesel-powered
submarine fleet and has already commissioned construction of
six Scorpene submarines with French company DCNS` help at the
Mazgaon Docks in Mumbai.
The Defence Ministry has already issued a request for
information (RFI) for six more diesel-powered submarines in
which Scorpene would be one of the bidders. India would
finally have about 30 submarines in its fleet.
Bureau Report
