IAF Seeks to Integrate Astra Mk2 on Mirage-2000 Jets to Boost Critical Long-Range Capabilities, But French Source Code Hurdle Remains

In a significant move to bolster its aerial combat strength, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is pursuing a crucial upgrade for its fleet of Mirage-2000 fighter jets. The plan involves equipping the aircraft with the indigenous Astra Mk2, a state-of-the-art Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM).

This initiative, which requires collaboration with the original French manufacturer Dassault Aviation, aims to resolve a critical capability gap in long-range engagements and ensure the veteran fleet remains a formidable asset in the face of modern aerial threats.

The IAF operates approximately 50 Mirage-2000 aircraft, a platform that has served as a cornerstone of India's air power for decades and proved its mettle in conflicts like the 1999 Kargil War and the 2019 Balakot airstrike.

However, their current armament, the French-made MICA missiles, have a maximum range of about 80 kilometres.

This is significantly shorter than the missiles fielded by regional adversaries, such as China's PL-15 (estimated range of 200-300 km) on its J-20 jets and Pakistan's AIM-120C-7 (around 120 km) on its JF-17 fighters.

This disparity places the Mirage-2000 at a disadvantage in modern beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat, where the ability to detect and fire from a greater distance is paramount.

The proposed solution is the integration of the Astra Mk2 missile, developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

With a reported range of 160-180 km, the Astra Mk2 represents a major advancement over its predecessor, the 110-km range Astra Mk1, which has already been successfully integrated with the Su-30MKI fleet.

Powered by a dual-pulse solid rocket motor for enhanced speed and manoeuvrability, the Astra Mk2 is designed to compete with leading global missiles like Europe's Meteor.

However, the project faces a significant technical and diplomatic obstacle.

The Mirage-2000's Thales RDY radar system is not currently compatible with the Astra Mk2. To make them work together, the IAF needs access to the radar's source code, which is proprietary technology owned by the French firms.

The IAF is reportedly in negotiations with Dassault Aviation to acquire this code, but France has historically maintained stringent controls on its defence technology exports.

This challenge is compounded by financial considerations. A previous decade-long upgrade (2011-2021) to modernize the Mirage-2000 fleet to the -5 Mk2 standard, which included new avionics and mission computers, cost approximately $2.2 billion, or over $40 million per aircraft.

It is anticipated that Dassault Aviation would demand a substantial price for the source code, potentially adding major costs to the project.

With the Mirage-2000 fleet expected to remain in service until at least 2035, this missile upgrade is considered a high priority.

While alternatives, such as retrofitting the jets with the indigenous Uttam AESA radar, have been considered, such a move would likely involve extensive and costly re-engineering.

Therefore, the success of this vital enhancement hinges on the outcome of complex technical and financial negotiations with France, as the IAF works to extend the operational life of one of its most trusted fighter aircraft.

 

5 Critical Domains in Which USA's General Atomics will Provide Expert Consultation on Indian HALE UAV Design and Development

DRDO Explores 10kN Variant of Manik Engine to Power India's Next-Gen Military Drones, Most Likely MALE UAV or CATS Warrior

[Mc Addy]

What's a hurdle, leave it, it's an old horse, make it for precision ground attack , it will do well. Can't have latest tech in a 1990s aircraft.

 

[sanket]

My thoughts about the Mirage-2000 upgrade and its shortcomings are becoming true. Lakhs of times I have said it: First, Dassault denied the integration of a derivative of the RBE-2 AESA Radar on the Mirage-2000. Second, the integration of the indigenous Uttam AESA Radar would be ideal and more advanced than the RDY-3 radar.

That's why I always compare the Mirage-2000 upgrade and fighter jet with the Russian MiG-29. Now, investing $40 million per jet does not justify the upgrade. Even after a costly upgrade, Mirage-2000s are flying under MiG-29 escort to perform ground attack roles.

The most important thing Dassault itself has to analyse is whether the Mirage-2000 is a multi-role fighter jet in today's modern warfare. The idea behind not allowing the RBE-2 derivative AESA Radar was to increase the sale of Rafale fighter jets. If the Mirage-2000 was upgraded with RBE-2, then the Meteor Missile could be easily integrated too.

Russian platforms have open architecture. As mentioned in the article, France may ask for $40 million for sharing the source code; it is better to buy more Tejas Mk1A than integrating the Mirage-2000 with the latest BVR. For $40 million, with a decade of life left in the Mirage-2000, you will get a brand new indigenous Tejas Mk1A fighter jet with a lifespan of 40 years and the autonomy to integrate any software, tech, sensors, or weapons.

 

[Hawkeye]

Time to retire all the antiques and go for new ones with fresh frames to add more modern missiles.

 

[ramdas]

It is understandable to appreciate vintage cars, but not vintage fighter planes. Currently, there are no spare parts available for these jets, and they are crashing almost every month.

 

[Kiran Kumar]

I think the IAF should purchase second-hand aircraft and ask HAL to fit them according to their modifications. The IAF is expecting to purchase a Maruti 800, make modifications, and expect it to run like a Toyota SUV. The Mirage 2000's lifespan is almost done, and recently one fighter jet crashed and killed two precious pilots. I don't know why these steps are being taken by the IAF.

 

[tipoo2]

Not saying I'm against it, but what's the cost, as these were notoriously annoying to upgrade with the French not putting out much but for very high costs? If these are coming up on retirement and units will start to dwindle especially approaching 2030 and beyond.

i.e the 2.4 billion to upgrade just 51 of these last time. That's approaching the price, just for an upgrade, of printing out a bunch of Tejas at scale to replace them with brand new fighter jets with most of the upgrades integrated, had we gotten there.

So I wonder, if this upgrade will similarly have significant cost, are we being penny wise pound foolish again not to expedite replacement

 

[Sentoki]

Upgrading the Mirages makes sense only under specific circumstances. Number one, upgrade the radar with Uttam radar, DRDOs IRST system, ASPJ & Indian missile integration like Astra MK2.

If this is not possible, just quit wasting time....it's a damn good airframe even 50 years on and with right upgrades, airframe life can be extended to 2040 to ensure competent squadron strength.

Of all the legacy airframes like Jaguar, Mirage, MIG29s, etc, Mirages make the most sense to upgrade.

However, if it is going to cost as much as a Tejas MK1A or MK2, just quit wasting time and move on.

Besides, I don't understand why we are still asking French for permission to upgrade our fleet anymore. The production has been stopped two decades back and the support has been non-existent to obsolescent.

Wr have an MRO facility being established in India now for the Mirages. If you truly value this aircraft that much and if it makes economic sense to upgrade it, just do it fully in house using private sector assistance for MRO. Let French feelings be damned.

Just gut out all the avionics, radars, etc and replace with what you have developed for Tejas MK1A or MK2. Only thing you want from the legacy aircraft is the airframes and engines, which will save you a couple of years of build time against any new aircraft. That's about it. Replace everything from your existing parts bin. Essentially a MK1A or MK2 with a Mirage airframe & engine.

We just can't seem to think creatively it seems.....

 

[Defender]

Time to retire all the antiques and go for new ones with fresh frames to add more modern missiles.

They will be retired once Tejas Mk2 enters service.

 

[Kira]

As much as they love the Mirage and see optimal usage of anything, I do believe IAF should start looking at retiring them at the earliest and give attention to the Tejas MK-2 instead.

 

[Sandeep]

Our main priority is to improve our BVR missiles, bombs and to improve our combat capabilities. While France or any other country won’t give up the jets source codes and proprietary technology we just need them to install and integrate more of our weapons with the jet.

Whether they do it for free it’s unclear but even if they charge some money it’s better than relying on foreign expensive imports which costs us more in the long term. Also i doubt they would charge a high price as it’s something that can be done very quickly.