Article Posted on : - Mar 05, 2010

A file photo of Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft.

NEW DELHI (BNS): India will sign a USD 2bln worth deal with France to upgrade its Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft by year end, a media report said.

According to Indian Express, after two years of protracted negotiations over the aircraft price, the final settlement will be done soon by the countries.

The deal will upgrade 51 Mirage 2000 fighters of Indian Air Force (IAF) with new radar systems, weapon suites, missiles and electronic warfare system and modern electronic warfare.

The up-gradation programme will add extension to the IAF most potent fighter aircraft, the report said.

Air Chief Marshal P V Naik has said that a team will shortly be arriving from Paris to carry out the commercial negotiations.

The deal will take its final shape after the France President Nicolas Sarkozy visit to India later this year.