Mirage 2000-5's for The Indian Airforce

Comments on the following news article guys. Dont you think it would be better to go in for the Rafale.How does the Mirage copare price wise with the Rafale.

India plans to acquire new Mirage fighters
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Wednesday, March 27, 2002 (London):

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 today.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently holding preliminary discussions with the Dassault Aviation of France, the Mirage manufacturer, 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 official 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 (HAL) at Bangalore.

HAL units in Bangalore and Kanpur have been servicing Mirage 2000Hs since 1998 and also manufacture some spare parts.

Confirming that they were engaged in talks with the IAF for a new order for Mirage fighters 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 when India ordered 10 Mirage 2000H/TH aircraft in September 2000 for Rs 15 billion ($312 million) it made clear that additional fighters would be ordered.

The spokesman said Mirage 2000-5 is Dassault’s latest and most sophisticated model.

Deliveries of the four single-seat Mirage 2000H and six twin-seat Mirage 2000TH aircraft will begin next year and be completed a year later.

Since 1982, when the first major order was placed, the IAF has ordered 46 Mirage 2000H and 13 Mirage 2000TH aircrafts.

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)