April 2015 African Pilot 39previously used by the Armee de l’Air. The Mirage 2000-9 is the most advanced variant, using
similar computer systems as those used by the Lockheed Martin F-22 and F-35.
MIRAGE 2000S IN COMBATFrench Mirage 2000s were the fi rst of the type to see combat. They were used operationally
in 1991 during the Gulf War, as well as in the Balkans over Bosnia and Kosovo during the
mid-1990s. To the Mirage pilots, combat over Eastern Europe was certainly more intense
and, in 1996, a Mirage 2000D was shot down by the Bosnian Serb Army. French Mirages
again saw combat, particularly in ground attack and close air support roles, in Afghanistan
during the 2000s. Later, in 2011, these French aircraft enforced no-fl y zones during the
military intervention of Libya, which led to the downfall of the country’s leader Muammar
Gaddafi. Mirage 2000s of the United Arab Emirates also participated in the Gulf War and in
the enforcement of Libya’s no-fl y zone. Qatari Mirages could also be seen over Libya during
that military intervention.
During the Cenepa War of 1995, a confl ict between Peru and Ecuador, Peruvian Mirages
fl ew numerous combat air patrols, but without any incidents. However, during the following
year, whilst French Mirages were patrolling the skies over the Balkans, a Greek Mirage 2000
intercepted and shot down a Turkish F-16 which had entered Greek airspace. This was done
with a Matra Magic missile, which was essentially the French equivalent of the popular American
AIM-9 Sidewinder short range air-to-air missile.
In 2009, India used its Mirage 2000s effectively against Pakistan during the Kargil War. Two
Mirage 2000 squadrons fl ew more than 500 sorties, dropping more than 50 tonnes of laser
guided and general purpose bombs on enemy targets.
Mirage 2000s remain in service with all of their operators, except Brazil, which retired its aircraft
in 2013. Earlier this year, the United Arab Emirates offered a number of its Mirage 2000-9s to
the Iraqi Air Force, in an effort to combat terrorism. In the end about 600 Mirage 2000s were
built. Although this is a small number, compared with the Mirage III, the Mirage 2000 has certain
proved itself as a highly capable warplane, fi t for combat in the 21st century.
SPECIFICATIONS
Dassault Mirage 2000C Lockheed Martin F-16C
Wingspan: 9.1 m 10 m
Length: 14.4 m 15 m
Height: 5.2 m 5 m
Empty weight: 7 500 kg 8 600 kg
Max. take-off weight: 17 000 kg 19 200 kg
Speed: Mach 2.2 Mach 2+
Service ceiling: 59 000 ft 50 000 kg
Max. range: 3 400 km 4 200 km
Powerplant: Snecma M53 General Electric F110
Thrust: 21 400 lbs 28 600 lbsBrazilian Air Force Mirage 2000s