Why Mirage 2000 is IAF's most preferred fighter

India today dropped 1000 kg bombs on the terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC). It used Mirage 2000 fighter jets for the attack.

Hyderabad: Nearly two weeks after the Pulwama terror attack, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has retaliated by deploying one of the most versatile aircraft - Mirage 2000. In the early hours of Tuesday, around 3.30 am, a group of Mirage 2000 (Vajra) dropped 1000 kg bombs on the terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC).

As per initial reports, as many as 12 Mirage fighter jets took part in the operation and have destroyed a major Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist camp using laser-guided bombs. Further information said that terror launch pads across LoC at Balakot, Chakothi and Muzaffarabad, including JeM control rooms were completely destroyed in the IAF aerial strikes.

All you need to know about Mirage 2000

Mirage, known as Vajra (Divine Thunder) in the IAF, is a single seater air defence and multi-role fighter manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under license from France-based Dassault Aviation.

The decision to induct the fighter jets into the IAF was taken in 1982, as a countermeasure to the sale of F-16s to Pakistan by the United States.

Major operational capabilities

The 14.36 m long and 5.3 m high fighter jet is capable of carrying out all weather night and day missions such as Battlefield Air Interdiction (BAI).

The empty weight of Mirage 2000 is 7,600 kg, while the maximum armament weight is 5,900 kg and 6,200 kg for Mirage 2000C and Mirage 2000D respectively.

What armament Mirage 2000 carries

1. Cannon: 2 GIAT DEFA 554 de 30 mm
2. Air-air: missiles MICA, Magic 2, Super 530F,Super 530D Sky Flash
3. Air-ground bombs: BGL 1000, BM400, BAP 100
4. Air-ground missiles: Durandal, Belouga, Armat, Apache, Scalp, AS30L, AM39, ASMP

Performance

The Mirage 2000 can climb at the rate of 285m/s. The maximum and approach speeds of the aircraft are 2,530km/h and 259km/h respectively. The ferry range is 3,335km. The range and service ceiling are 1,550km and 17,060m respectively.

Mirage 2000's role in 'Kargil Conflict'

During the 1999 'Kargil Conflict', the Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed the Mirage 2000s as the lead fighter jet to tackle the intruders across the mountainous Kargil region.

Vajra's role in the Kargil conflict showcased the aircraft's versatility at high altitudes in mountain warfare, as it had destroyed critical enemy positions at Tiger Hill and broke supply lines using laser-guided bombs.

Impressed with the aircraft's performance, the IAF sought to induct another 126 Mirage 2000s to its fleet, which further paved the way for its replacement by 36 Dassault Rafales, a medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA).

Among the IAF's aircrafts, Mirage 2000 and Jaguar are the only ones capable of delivering nuclear payloads.

Which other countries own Mirage 2000

Along with India, Egypt, France, Greece, Peru, Qatar, Taiwan and United Arab Emirates use Mirage 2000 fighter jets.