The first two upgraded Mirage-2000 fighter jets have landed at Gwalior. These aircraft were flown by Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots over a period of seven days from France to India via Greece, Egypt and Qatar.
The two aircraft were accorded the traditional ‘Water Cannon Salute’ while taxying in on arrival. The leader of the team, Group Captain M Minocha, was welcomed by the Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station Gwalior, Air Commodore HS Basra.
The leader also handed over the aircraft documents to the Air Officer Commanding. The twin-seater was flown in by Wing Commander Vivek Sharma and Squadron Leader K Suryanarayanan.
The upgrade enhances the overall capability of aircraft with advanced avionics, weapons and self protection suites. The upgrade contract was signed with Thales Aeroportes Systems and Dassault Aviation of France.
The upgrade programme was successfully completed on schedule. The subsequent serried upgrade of the Mirage 2000 fleet is being carried out at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore. (ANI)