During an official visit to Greece from June 23 to 25, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF), held high-level talks with Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff. Among the key topics of discussion was Greece’s formal offer to sell 15 Mirage-2000-5 fighter jets to India, as Athens seeks to phase out the aircraft in favor of its newer Rafale fleet.
The proposal was made as part of Greece’s ongoing air force modernization plan, which centers on transitioning to advanced multi-role platforms like the Rafale. The 15 Mirage-2000-5 jets were inducted between the late 1990s and early 2000s and are being retired to reduce maintenance costs and generate funds for additional Rafale acquisitions. These aircraft are supported under a maintenance contract with Dassault Aviation set to expire in 2027.
Despite the offer, the IAF has expressed reservations about acquiring the jets. The concerns include the advanced age of the aircraft, limited remaining airframe life, and significant differences in configuration compared to the IAF’s existing Mirage-2000H/TH fleet. The IAF currently operates around 50 Mirage-2000s, upgraded in the 2010s under a $2.3 billion deal with Dassault and Thales, equipping them with modern avionics, RDY-2 radar, and MICA missiles. These aircraft have been central to operations such as the 2019 Balakot airstrike and the recent Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
While the IAF has been exploring ways to maintain and extend the service life of its Mirage fleet—previously considering the acquisition of retired French Mirage-2000s for cannibalization—Greece’s offer represents a potential alternative. However, the Greek jets’ estimated remaining operational life of 10–15 years, coupled with costs associated with retrofitting and sustaining them, raises concerns about long-term value.
The IAF is currently managing a squadron shortfall, operating 31 squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42, and is seeking stop-gap solutions while it awaits new aircraft under programs like the Tejas Mk-1A, Tejas Mk-2, and the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) procurement. Still, the financial implications of acquiring the Greek jets are considerable. Experts suggest that the total cost of procurement, upgrades, and lifecycle maintenance could rival that of new indigenous platforms.
With a commitment to 180 Tejas Mk-1A jets already underway at a cost of ₹1.15 lakh crore, and plans progressing for the MRFA and AMCA projects, the IAF may ultimately decide that the Greek Mirage-2000-5s do not align with its long-term strategic and fiscal goals. The decision is expected to hinge on whether the short-term benefits of fleet reinforcement outweigh the costs and logistical challenges of integrating aging foreign platforms.
