The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has given his approval to the long awaited 2.4-billion proposal for upgrading 51 Mirage 2000 fighter planes. Till now, a price negotiation was the main reason for the delay in approval.

The Indian Air Force has proposed for the overhaul nearly four years back but the government has now given its assent to the most expensive program. The proposal will be focusing on intensifying the life of the French-origin multi-role fighters by around 20 years.

The French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation, electronic systems company Thales and missile systems group MBDA will be providing the armed forces with enhanced missiles, multi-layered radars, avionics, electronic warfare suites, glass cockpits and the helmet-mounted displays sensors.

Air Force Chief Marshal PV Naik had earlier warned the government that the IAF will lose its advantage over the rivals if it does not undergo an overhaul.

The upgrade of the fleet will take around nine years and two of the Mirages will be retro-fitted in France while rest of the 49 aircrafts will be modernized in the Hindustan Aeronautics.

According to the sources, “A separate proposal for almost $700 million worth armaments for mounting on the upgraded Mirage-2000 fighters will be approved later”.