A multi-billion Euro deal to upgrade India's ageing 52 Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft would be the highlight of the visit of French president Nicholas Sarkozy in New Delhi from Friday.

Under the deal, worth 1.5 billion Euros cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security, the Indian Mirages would be upgraded to Mirage 2000-9 levels as flown by the French Air Force.

Through the upgradation, the Indian Air Force is planning to increase the life of its Mirage fighters by 25 years.

The upgradation will involve advanced radars, avionics and arming them with air-to-air missiles with longer reach beyond visual range.

The IAF is also in negotiations with Russia [Images] for similar upgradation of the Mig-29 fighter fleet. The Mirages, Mig-29 and Sukhois will form the frontline of the Indian Air Force till the new 126 multi-role combat fighter jets are inducted by 2014.

The upgradation of Mirages would be undertaken at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited with the support of French companies Thallus International and Dassault, the original manufacturers of the jets.