Indian Mirage-2000
Posted on 10/15/2009 9:39:29 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
IAF's $11-bn order may become larger
Ajai Shukla / New Delhi October 16, 2009, 0:36 IST
India may go beyond the purchase of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft.
The winner’s jackpot could soon become even bigger in what is already the world’s most lucrative fighter aircraft tender: India’s proposed purchase of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) for an estimated Rs 51,000 crore ($11 billion).
The reason is a breakdown in India’s long negotiations with Dassault Aviation, the French aircraft manufacturer, for upgrading 51 Indian Air Force Mirage-2000 fighters. According to senior IAF sources, Dassault has refused to reduce its quota of Rs 10,000 crore ($2.1 billion) for extending the service life of the IAF’s Mirage-2000 fleet by fitting new radars and avionics. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) considers this price — Rs 196 crore ($41 million) per aircraft — unacceptably high, given that the airframes and engines will not be changed.
In comparison, each of the 126 brand-new, next-generation MMRCAs will cost some Rs 400 crore ($87 million) per aircraft. That includes the cost of technology transfers, as well as capital costs for setting up a manufacturing line in India. Once those costs are amortised, additional MMRCAs would be significantly cheaper.
Dassault’s India head, Posina V Rao, did not return multiple phone calls from Business Standard. MoD sources say Rao is engaged in last-ditch attempts to salvage the deal.
But, the MoD is veering around to the view that the Mirage-2000 fleet should continue service in its current form. After six squadrons (126 aircraft) of MMRCAs have entered IAF service, an additional two squadrons of MMRCAs would be built to replace the 51 Mirage-2000 fighters. That amounts to a 40 per cent rise in the MMRCA’s numbers.
Israeli aerospace companies have reportedly entered the fray, offering to upgrade the Mirage-2000 for half the price being quoted by Dassault. The MoD, however, is not inclined to accept that offer.
Price negotiations for the Mirage-2000 upgrade have travelled a rocky road over two years. Initially, Dassault quoted Rs 13,500 crore ($2.9 billion), which it brought down to the current level of Rs 10,000 crore ($2.1 billion) after the IAF diluted its upgrade requirements. But the MoD believes Dassault’s reduced bid only reflects the diluted requirements, rather than any flexibility on the latter’s part.
The IAF, traditionally a staunch supporter of Dassault and the Mirage-2000 fighter, is apparently changing its views. Dassault, say pilots, has badly damaged its credibility during the recent negotiations by arm-twisting the IAF over the supply of spares for the Mirage-2000 fleet.
The Gwalior-based IAF squadrons that currently fly the Mirage-2000 are Number 1 squadron (Tigers) and Number 7 squadron (Battle Axes).
Five of the six contenders for the MMRCA contract — Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Eurofighter, Gripen and RAC MiG — know they could reap handsome gains, through larger fighter orders, if India chooses not to upgrade the Mirage-2000. The sixth contender, Dassault Aviation itself, realises failure to negotiate the Mirage-2000 upgrade contract could seriously damage the chances of its Rafale fighter for the MMRCA contract.
The fighters in contention for the MMRCA contract are sequentially undergoing flight trials and evaluation, which the IAF expects to complete by April 2010. It will take another six months to finalise the trial report and send that to the MoD, which will then announce the winner of the contract.
Indian Mirage-2000
Sheez does that thing ever look like an F-102 or an F-106. Not even a bubble canopy, for 360 vision. I wonder why we’ve given up on the delta-wing design, while the French consider it still viable.
I read somewhere that a delta wing gives a very bumpy ride at low altitude. Not sure that's the reason. The Israelis did very well with Delta-wing Mirages & Kfirs. The F-106 was reportedly a good dogfighter when put up against the F-4 Phantom II.
General Dynamics developed a "cranked-delta" design with their F-16XL, but it got beat out for the strike bomber role by the F-15E Mudhen.
Americans are quitters?
French Rafale 
Anglo/German Typhoon 
Swedish Gripen 
Indian Tejas 
Chinese Vigorous Dragon
Maybe the question is why the USA is staying with the heritagw wingform?
I really liked the looks of that F-20 Tiger Shark, back in the day. Alas, it didn't have the range or payload wanted, compared to the 16.
This most modern Mirage looks like it has some of that F-5/T-38 in there behind the cockpit, along with some F-105 from the nose back.
F-105 would still be feared to this day, under certain circumstances. Down low, coming at you full AB, with some nukes.
Hey! I didn’t say quitters, did I? I just wondered why we’ve wandered away from that design, while other countries have pursued it. Notice how much these pics you’ve posted look a lot F-16? At least I see a lot of that in there.
Its compatibility with the existing and future MiG-29K's that are picked for India's carriers, thrust-vectoring engines, and its ability to carry advanced Russian missiles already in service are major advantages.
The F-16, presumably a Block 70, with its proven AN/APG-80 AESA radar and integrated Infa Red Search & Track, on a less expensive platform makes it a close pick.
My opinion, the MiG-35 unless we play a lot of politics.
Umm-nope, the 35 is there only to make up the numbers and the F-16 has a lot of issues going against it-Pakistan using the same type, impending onset of the JSF. A person who works with one of the competitors told me that Boeing and Eurofighter are the main competitors-more so since the engines used by the two are being considered for the Indian LCA upgrade.
F-18 would be ther best choice. Being it is also carrier capable.
Well so is the Mig-35’s cousin, the Mig-29K (already in Indian service) and the French Rafale!!!
Besides SAAB and BAE systems claim that they can modify the Gripen and Eurofighter for a ski-jump carrier role-not that it would be easy or cheap. Point is that the Super Hornet is a bit too big and heavy for the ski-jump equipped medium carriers India is looking at.
Never said they weren’t.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_french-rafale-aircraft-out-of-india-s-mmrca-race_1248333
The IAF seems to be on a real bent to reduce their different platforms from the current six to only three for the future. That bodes well for the F-16, F-18 and MiG.
Their long history with the Russians, although rocky at times, seems a big factor. The requirement for 30% investment in Indian defense industries would be difficult for the US and the Russians are the most open about revealing their platforms.
Seems like the F-16 is a longshot because the Pak's have it too.
That report about the Rafale was denied by the IAF and Dassault later claimed it was a plant by LM.
About offsets, well US companies are not as disadvantaged as you claim-most major US players have begun partnerships with Indian companies for a range of systems. The Russians don’t have that much money to match that.
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