Indian Air Force likely to buy 12 used Mirage 2000 Jets from Qatar

New Delhi: India and Qatar Discuss Proposal for Mirage 2000 Fighter Jets

India and Qatar have engaged in discussions regarding the potential purchase of 12 pre-owned French Mirage 2000 fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Reports indicate these jets are in good condition, with approximately 30% of their airframe life remaining.

The IAF currently operates Mirage 2000 jets acquired from France in the mid-to-late 1980s. These aircraft played pivotal roles in operations such as the Kargil War, where they successfully targeted Pakistani logistics hubs using laser-guided bombs, and in the Balakot air strikes, which targeted Lashkar-e-Taiba’s training center in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The engines of the Qatari jets are identical to those used in the IAF's Mirage fleet, simplifying maintenance procedures. The proposed price for the 12 jets is Rs 5,000 crore, considered relatively high by experts—nearly equivalent to the cost of a new Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet, albeit lacking the advanced features of the Tejas.

These Mirage 2000 jets are reportedly of the Dash 1 upgrade variant, differing from the IAF’s Dash-2 versions, placing them at a lower operational level compared to the IAF's current fleet. However, Qatar has sweetened the deal by including Mica air-to-air missiles with the jets.

Previously, the IAF acquired some French Mirage 2000 jets for spare parts. Additionally, Greece has also offered 18 Mirage 2000 jets, similarly in good condition and capable of operational missions.