By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI, NEW DELHI
Posted 07/30/07 19:27

India’s upgrade of 51 Mirage 2000-H combat jets is expected to incorporate avionics from Israel’s Elbit Systems, which has an equity arrangement with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL).

Although the contract has not yet been signed, officials with HAL, prime contractor for the $1 billion upgrade program, said Elbit has been selected to supply electronic warfare systems and other avionics.

France’s Dassault will be another subcontractor, and has made a commitment with Elbit to supply nonavionics components, including upgrades to the airframe, nonavionics systems and the engine, and will provide certification, a HAL executive said.

Elbit has been engaged in the upgrade of several types of MiG aircraft and has integrated R-73 beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles in the Mirage 2000-H, the executive said.

The upgrade program will be completed in five years and will include building a prototype aircraft in India in collaboration with the Air Force, HAL and Dassault.

Parts of the integration and software tasks will be performed in Bangalore by HALBIT, an equity partnership struck early this year between HAL and Elbit. HAL holds 50 percent of HALBIT Avionics, with Elbit holding 26 percent and Merlinhawk, a Bangalore consulting firm, 24 percent.

Thales of France and state-owned, Bangalore-based Bharat Electronics also will be involved in the program, which is expected to win final contract approval this year, an Indian Defence Ministry official said.

The upgrade will include installation of two mission computers, a pulse doppler radar capable of detecting objects at 70 nautical miles through clutter, and an advanced navigation system.

The cockpit would feature two lateral displays and an advanced head-down display. Communication, navigation and identification units would be replaced to match the improved cockpit.

The electronic warfare upgrades will incorporate an integrated missile approach warning receiver to provide continuous information on time to impact; a self-protection, fully integrated, internally mounted jammer capable of simultaneously tackling multiple threats; a countermeasure dispensing system; and escort jammers that can interfere with surveillance acquisition radar.

The aircraft could carry up to four Derby BVR missiles, at least two short- to medium-range Python V missiles, and smart munitions with stand-off range.

Disposable fuel tanks will extend flight endurance, and the aircraft pressurization system will be altered to improve performance in tropical and desert climates. Full mission simulators will be provided.

The upgraded aircraft will have a warranty of 24 months or 360 operational hours.

The nonavionics upgrades, to be done by Dassault, will include the airframe and mechanical systems, which will be enhanced to the existing Mirage 2000-S level. The liquid oxygen system will be replaced with an onboard oxygen generating system, and the engine will feature a digital control system. •

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2920088&C=mideast

For more on recent Elbit activities:

A Boeing / Israeli Joint Venture:
Spy Towers on the US Border
July 18, 2007

http://www.counterpunch.org/norrell07182007.html

Elbit Acquires Ferranti Technologies
26-Jul-2007 14:30

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/elbit-acquires-ferranti-technologies-03530/