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In a bid to enhance its strike and nuclear-deterrence capabilities, India plans to acquire 126 Mirage 2000-5 multi-role fighter aircraft, a leading defence weekly reported on Wednesday.
The Indian Air Force is holding preliminary discussions with Dassault Aviation of France in this connection, the Jane's Defence Weekly reported.
"The IAF plans to acquire 126 Mirage 2000-5s to equip seven squadrons that will comprise the 'backbone' of India's proposed strategic nuclear command," the report said, quoting sources in New Delhi.
The IAF reportedly wants 36 Mirage 2000-5s to be delivered in completed form and the remainder to be assembled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at Bangalore.
Confirming the report, a Dassault spokesman in Paris said, "We aren't yet at a crucial stage in negotiations and have no idea of the number they want."
He said India, while ordering 10 Mirage 2000H/TH aircraft in September 2000 for Rs 15 billion, made it clear that additional fighters would be ordered.
The spokesman said Mirage 2000-5 is Dassault's latest and most sophisticated model.
Since 1982, the IAF has ordered 46 Mirage 2000H and 13 Mirage 2000TH aircraft.
"By 2010, the IAF wants around 35 lethal combat squadrons, five less than the existing 40, equipped with the latest platforms after around 300-350 MiG-21 variants are phased out," an air force officer said.
The proposed Mirage 2000-5 purchase is part of this fleet enhancement, the officer said.
Defence relations between India and France are proliferating with New Delhi finalising negotiations to build six Scorpene-class submarines locally.
The two countries established a military co-operation committee four years ago that meets alternately in Paris and Delhi to boost defence acquisition programmes.
PTI
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