IAF Hoping to Sign Mirage Upgrade Deal by March

The Indian Air Force today said it was hoping to sign the long-stuck USD 2.1 billion deal to upgrade around 50 Mirage 2000s with France by March this year. The deal has been awaiting clearance from the government after differences emerged between the two sides over price and legal issues. "It was subject to negotiations and many elements were discussed in detail. The negotiations have been concluded and report has been submitted to the Defence Ministry. We are trying to conclude this deal by end of this fiscal," Air Chief Marshal P V Naik told a press conference here. The deal was earlier expected to be signed during French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit last year but was postponed as the issues had remained unresolved then. Giving details of the upgrade, the IAF chief said the aircraft would have modern avionics, new electronic warfare equipment and would get a life extension of 20 years. On the procurement of mid-air refuelling aircraft, Naik said the cancellation of the procurement procedure last year had delayed the induction of more such aircraft in the force. After a five-year process, the last tender was cancelled after Finance Ministry objected over IAF's choice for buying Airbus 330 citing its high price.