Greece Offer 18 Decommissioned Mirage 2000 To India For Utilize there Spare Parts.

Defense News ,India :- In a recent report by Kathimerini, it was revealed that the Greek Air Force is exploring the prospect of selling its decommissioned Mirage fighters to India. Both the Defence Ministry and the prime minister’s office are reportedly aware of this suggestion. The two nations, Greece and India, are nearing the finalization of a deal on these jets, which were retired in 2022. There is speculation that the sale might be discussed during Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' visit to New Delhi later this month.

The report suggests that the Greek Air Force has modest expectations for the sale price, estimating a few million euros per jet at best, given their derelict condition. Despite the economic outlook, the decision to sell the Mirages is anticipated to yield more political benefits.

Previously operated by the 332 Squadron 'Hawks' of the HAF 114 Combat Wing at Tanagra Air Base near Athens, the 18 Mirage 2000 aircraft were officially retired in January 2022 with the introduction of the newer Dassault Rafale fighters. India, with approximately 44 Mirage 2000H/I in its fleet, has expressed interest in acquiring these decommissioned jets, even though they may not all be airworthy. It is likely that India would utilize them for spare parts.

The Mirage 2000 fleet faced challenges during its operational tenure, leading to grounding due to a lack of logistical support before the procurement of new French fighters. Most of these fighters have been left abandoned at Tanagra Air Base in Boeotia, with some cannibalized for parts, making their flightworthiness doubtful.

Notwithstanding the condition of the Mirages, India remains one of the operators of these legendary French fighters, maintaining approximately 50 aircraft across three fighter squadrons. India's interest in acquiring used Mirage 2000s was announced just before the expiry of 2023, with the intention of keeping its squadrons operational for another decade.

The article also touches upon India's Mirage 2000 fleet, purchased in the late 1980s, and the subsequent Mirage 2000 upgrade program initiated 25 years after procurement. The ongoing upgrade includes a full glass cockpit, helmet-mounted sight, Mica air-to-air missiles, enhanced networking capabilities, a new MSA radar, integrated electronic warfare capabilities, and undisclosed features kept confidential by the Indian Air Force. The upgrades aim to bring these Mirage fighters to 21st-century standards to effectively counter contemporary threats.

In light of these developments, Greece looks forward to strengthening its defensive ties with India, emphasizing that the decision to sell the decommissioned Mirages is expected to have more political significance than economic impact.