SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
During an official visit to Greece from June 23–25, 2025, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF), engaged in high-level discussions with Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff (HAFGS), to strengthen bilateral air force ties. A key topic during the visit was Greece’s offer to sell 15 Mirage-2000-5 fighter jets to India, as the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) seeks to phase out these aircraft in favor of its recently acquired Rafale jets.
However, according to sources cited by idrw.org, the IAF has expressed reservations about procuring these jets due to their advanced age, limited remaining airframe life, and configuration differences compared to the IAF’s existing Mirage-2000 fleet.
The Hellenic Air Force currently operates a mixed fleet of fighter jets, including 24 Rafale aircraft procured from Dassault Aviation in 2021 and 2022, alongside older platforms like the Mirage-2000-5 and F-16s. As part of its modernization strategy, Greece is transitioning to a more advanced and streamlined fleet centered on the Rafale, which offers superior multi-role capabilities, stealth features, and integration with advanced weapons like the Meteor missile. To fund additional Rafale purchases and reduce maintenance costs, the HAF is looking to retire its 15 Mirage-2000-5 jets, which were inducted in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The maintenance contract for these jets, signed with Dassault Aviation in 2019, is set to expire in 2027, prompting Greece to explore divestment options.
During Air Chief Marshal Singh’s visit, which included a ceremonial Guard of Honour and tours of HAF Combat Wings and the Hellenic Air Force Academy at Dekelia Air Base, the Greek side formally offered these 15 Mirage-2000-5 jets to India. The proposal, first reported by idrw.org in February 2024, aligns with Greece’s earlier attempts to sell 18 Mirage-2000 EGM/BGM jets to India for spare parts to sustain the IAF’s Mirage-2000 fleet until 2035. However, the current offer focuses on the Mirage-2000-5, a more advanced variant, but still presents challenges for the IAF.
The IAF operates a fleet of approximately 50 Mirage-2000H/TH aircraft, inducted between 1985 and 1990, which have been a cornerstone of its tactical strike and multi-role capabilities. Upgraded to the Mirage-2000-5 standard in the 2010s under a $2.3 billion deal with Dassault and Thales, these jets are equipped with the RDY-2 radar, MICA missiles, and advanced avionics, making them critical for precision strikes, as demonstrated in the 2019 Balakot airstrike and Operation Sindoor in May 2025. However, the fleet’s aging airframes and depleting spare parts have strained operational readiness, with the IAF planning to retire them by 2035.
The IAF has been exploring options to maintain its Mirage-2000 fleet, including sourcing second-hand jets for cannibalization or operational use. In 2021, India considered purchasing 24 retired Mirage-2000s from France, but the deal did not materialize due to cost and logistical issues. Greece’s offer of 15 Mirage-2000-5 jets is seen as an alternative to bolster the IAF’s inventory, particularly as it faces a squadron strength shortfall (currently 31 squadrons against a sanctioned 42) and delays in indigenous programs like the Tejas Mk-1A.
The Greek Mirage-2000-5 jets, inducted in the late 1990s, have an average airframe life of approximately 4,500–5,000 hours, with significant usage reducing their remaining operational life to 10–15 years. The IAF’s own Mirage-2000 fleet, while older, has undergone extensive upgrades and life-extension programs, making them more sustainable until 2035. Acquiring aging jets with limited life would require costly maintenance and upgrades, potentially offsetting any cost savings from the purchase.
The IAF is wary of the financial implications of acquiring and maintaining the Greek jets. The cost of procurement, retrofitting, and sustaining these aircraft until 2035 could approach the expense of acquiring new platforms or accelerating indigenous programs like the Tejas Mk-2 or Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). With the IAF already investing in 180 Tejas Mk-1A jets (Rs. 1.15 lakh crore) and planning for the 114-jet Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, the Greek offer may not align with long-term cost-effectiveness.
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