Isa Air Base ( IAB ), formerly known as Shaikh Isa Air Base ( ICAO : OBBS ), is located on the island nation of Bahrain . Isa Air Base is located on the shore of the Persian Gulf in southern Bahrain.
93-710: It hosts the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF) Fighter Wing and the two squadrons that comprise it. During the first Gulf War , some of the Coalition forces, having trouble with the Arab pronunciation, knew the base under the name " Shakey's Pizza ". The base is home to the RBAF's 1st Fighter Wing : In March 2009, the United States Air Force established a camp on Isa Air Base to support aerial port operations. The unit
186-529: A centre stick and left-hand throttles , with both incorporating HOTAS controls. The pilot sits on a SEM MB Mk10 zero-zero ejection seat (a license-built version of the British Martin-Baker Mark 10 ). The instrument panel (in the Mirage 2000 C) is dominated by a Sextant VE-130 head-up display which presents data relating to flight control, navigation, target engagement, and weapon firing, and
279-405: A dogfight and a confirmed shootdown of an IAF MiG-21. Pakistan also claims that an additional IAF Su-30MKI was also shot down in this dogfight. However, India denies the loss of any of its Su-30MKIs and instead claims that a PAF F-16 was shot down in the dogfight by its Mig-21. Pakistan also denies the loss of any of its F-16 in the battle. The only confirmed losses of the engagement were that of
372-651: A Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced the delivery of 3 Bell 505 helicopters to the Royal Bahrain Air Force. Bell delivered the aircraft during an inspection and acceptance event in February 2023 at Bell's Mirabel facility In March 2023, Bahrain has requested the purchase of 24 surplus Bell AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters from the US, via a Foreign Military Sales deal worth an estimated US$ 350 million. Dassault Mirage 2000 The Dassault Mirage 2000
465-462: A brake parachute can be fitted under the tail, which can operate in conjunction with the landing gear's carbon brakes to shorten landing distances. A removable refueling probe can be attached in front of the cockpit , offset slightly to the right of centre. An airbrake is fitted above and below each wing in an arrangement very similar to that of the Mirage III. A noticeably taller tailfin allows
558-464: A fully integrated electronic warfare suite, among other updates. In addition, the inventory of Super 530 D and R.550 Magic II missiles would be replaced by MICAs , an order for which was placed in 2012. The first of the two IAF Mirages sent to France to be upgraded made its first flight in October 2013, marking the start of a test campaign that would encompass 250 flights, culminating in the handover of
651-491: A heads-up display, but not an associated head-level display, and lacks a built-in cannon, although cannon pods can be carried. At the urging of the United Arab Emirates, Dassault worked on a further modification of the Mirage 2000-5. Initially dubbed Mirage 2000-9, this variant had the upgrade of the radar and the associated avionics, the change of weapons configuration, and the extension of range. The last Mirage 2000
744-625: A letter of offer and acceptance for nine UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to be purchased as part of the Foreign Military Sales program through the United States Army. These are designated for use in a variety of roles, including combat search and rescue. They were the international launch customer for the UH-60M variant of the venerable S-70 helicopter family. Deliveries commenced on 1 December 2009 A single Sikorsky S-92 VVIP helicopter
837-696: A pilot academy based around the Hawk Trainer , similar to the NFTC in Canada . Subsequently, orders were placed for Slingsby T67 Firefly and BAE Hawk trainers. The first trainers were delivered in October 2006. After Bahrain became a monarchy on 14 February 2002, the BAAF was renamed the Royal Bahraini Air Force. Upgrade of the helicopter force has included new utility transports, and on 19 June 2007, Bahrain signed
930-453: A production aircraft occurred 31 March 1993, and service introduction followed in April 1995. Seventy-five and eighty-six Mirage 2000Ns and Mirage 2000Ds were manufactured, respectively. By the late 1980s, the Mirage 2000 was beginning to age compared with the latest models of F-16 fighters. In particular, attention was drawn to the aircraft's inability to engage multiple targets simultaneously, and
1023-513: A radar screen located centrally below it. The SNECMA M53 afterburning turbofan was developed for the ACF, and was available for the Mirage 2000 project. It is a single-shaft engine of modular construction that is relatively light and simple compared to those of the British or American designs. The M53 consists of three low-pressure compressor stages, five high-pressure stages, and two turbine stages. With
SECTION 10
#17328518462081116-471: A set of munitions similar to that ordered by Egypt, along with ATLIS II targeting pods. The Peruvian Mirages flew combat air patrol missions in 1995 during the Cenepa War . Peru's Mirage 2000s underwent an inspection and partial electronic modernisation programme following a $ 140 million deal in 2009 that involved Dassault, Snecma, and Thales. The aircraft are expected to be retired by 2025. In May 1983,
1209-436: A trailing-edge forward sweep of 3.5°. The flight surfaces on the wings are composed of four elevons and four leading edge slats . A feature of the delta wing is that it offers a comparatively large wing area for a particular design, thereby reducing the wing loading. The wing on a Mirage 2000 has an area of 41 m , giving it a wing loading of some 77 lb/sq ft at a takeoff weight of 33,000 lb, making it much more manoeuvrable than
1302-510: Is a French multirole, single-engine, delta wing , fourth-generation jet fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation . It was designed in the late 1970s as a lightweight fighter to replace the Mirage III for the French Air Force ( Armée de l'air ). The Mirage 2000 evolved into a multirole aircraft with several variants developed, with sales to a number of nations. It was later developed into
1395-463: Is a major advancement over previous variants and embodies a comprehensive electronic, sensor, and cockpit upgrade to expand its combat ability, while reducing pilot workload. The centrepiece of the Mirage 2000-5 overhaul is the Thomson-CSF RDY (radar Doppler multitarget) with look down/shoot down capability. The multifunction radar is capable of air-to-ground, air-to-air, and air-to-sea operations. In
1488-752: Is being replaced in French service by the Dassault Rafale, which became operational with the French Air Force in June 2006. French Mirage 2000s were committed to enforcing the no-fly zone in Libya as part of Opération Harmattan in 2011. On 14 April 2018, four French Mirage 2000-5Fs participated in a joint military operation against the Syrian government with the UK and U.S. during
1581-790: Is the aerial warfare branch of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF). Originally formed as the BDF Air Wing in 1976, it became an independent service branch in 1987. The RBAF was involved in combat operations during the Gulf War and the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war . Bahrain has developed a well-equipped air force and was the second country in the Gulf Cooperation Council after Saudi Arabia to acquire advanced fighters, namely
1674-410: Is used when carrying fuel tanks, air-to-ground munitions, or a mix of both. This second mode functions as a g-limiter, preventing heavier munitions from damaging the pylons that they are mounted on, and preventing them from potentially being pulled off of the pylons by excessive G-force. The Mirage 2000 is available as a single-seat or twin-seat multirole fighter. The pilot flies the aircraft by means of
1767-537: The 2001–02 India–Pakistan standoff , IAF Mirage 2000s were used to destroy Pakistani bunkers with precision-guided bombs. The morale-boosting service of the Mirage 2000 in 1999 prompted the IAF to consider the acquisition of a further 126 aircraft. Instead, the Mirage 2000-5 became a contender for the IAF's Indian MRCA competition in competition with the Mikoyan MiG-35 , F-16 Fighting Falcon , and JAS 39 Gripen . In 2004,
1860-625: The 8th Helicopter Squadron was established with Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters, followed by the 9th Helicopter Squadron in 1997, for the purpose of providing close air support to the Royal Bahraini Army . In 1999 the Air Defense Wing, equipped with the Hawk missile system , was brought under the control of the Air Force. In July 2000, Bahrain signed a deal with BAE Systems to establish
1953-618: The AdA decided to upgrade 37 of their existing Mirage 2000s to the 2000-5 specification as a stopgap before the arrival of the Rafale in AdA service. The upgraded aircraft were redesignated Mirage 2000-5F, and became operational in 2000. They retained the old countermeasures system with the Serval / Sabre /Spirale units and did not receive the ICMS 2 system. A two-seat version was developed, as well, whose rear seat has
SECTION 20
#17328518462082046-667: The Bosnian War and the Kosovo War . During Operation Deliberate Force , on 30 August 1995, one Mirage 2000D was shot down over Bosnia by a 9K38 Igla shoulder-launched missile fired by air defence units of the Army of Republika Srpska , prompting efforts to obtain improved defensive systems. Both crew members were captured and later released through mediation with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia . French Mirage 2000Ds later served with
2139-686: The F-16C/D in 1989, which have been the RBAF's main combat aircraft since then. Bahrain was the first country in the Gulf to use the F-16. In the early 2010s Bahrain decided to replace its older F-5E and F-5F fighters with more modern planes, as well as to modernize its existing F-16 fleet. It ordered 16 new planes of the F-16 Block 70 variant, which it expects to acquire in 2024. The Bahrain Defence Force, which itself
2232-538: The Farnborough Airshow in September 1978, during which Dassault pilot Guy Mitaux-Maurourd raised the aircraft's nose to 25° angle of attack (AoA) as the aircraft slowed to 190 km/h (100 kn). Later tests showed that the aircraft could attain 30° AoA while carrying fuel tanks and weapons. The second prototype, No. 02, made its 50-minute first flight in September 1978 at the controls of Maurourd. The aircraft
2325-580: The Indian Air Force (IAF) learned of a successful approach by Pakistan to the US that year to purchase F-16A/B fighters, delivery of which was to commence in 1982. By late 1980, the IAF had quickly convinced the Indian government to purchase an equally potent aircraft, as its MiG-21s and MiG-23s were inferior to the F-16. When evaluating the Mirage F1 earlier, it became aware of a high-performance prototype of
2418-615: The International Security Assistance Force during the conflict in Afghanistan in 2001–2002, operating in close conjunction with international forces and performing precision attacks with laser-guided bombs . In the summer of 2007, after the Dassault Rafale fighters had been removed from the theater of operations, three French Mirage 2000s were deployed to Afghanistan in support of NATO troops. The Mirage 2000
2511-558: The Mirage 2000N and 2000D strike variants, the improved Mirage 2000-5, and several export variants. Over 600 aircraft were built and it has been in service with nine nations. The origins of the Mirage 2000 could be traced back to 1965, when France and Britain agreed to develop the "Anglo-French Variable Geometry" ( AFVG ) swing-wing aircraft . Two years later, France withdrew from the project on grounds of costs, after which Britain would collaborate with West Germany and Italy to ultimately produce
2604-593: The Panavia Tornado . Dassault instead focused on its own variable-geometry aircraft, the Dassault Mirage G experimental prototype. The design was expected to materialise in the Mirage G8, which would serve as the replacement for the popular Mirage III in French Air Force service. The Mirage 2000 started out as a secondary project tentatively named "Delta 1000" in 1972. Dassault was devoting considerable attention to
2697-601: The Syrian Civil War . On 9 March 2024, two French Mirage 2000-5Fs participated in the downing of two Houthi drones over the Red Sea in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian marking the first French aerial victories since World War II . On 6 June 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would provide Mirage 2000 jets and training to Ukraine to counter increased Russian aggression in Kharkiv region. In 1980,
2790-509: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) placed an order for 36 Mirage 2000 aircraft. The order consisted of 22 single-seat Mirage 2000AED, eight unique single-seat reconnaissance variants designated Mirage 2000RAD, and six Mirage 2000DAD trainers, which collectively are known as SAD-8 (Standard Abu Dhabi). The order specified an Italian-made defensive avionics suite that delayed delivery of the first of these aircraft until 1989. In November 1998,
2883-678: The United States , including its Air Force. In 1985 Bahrain acquired its first fighter jets, the F-5 , and established the 6th Fighter Squadron at Muharraq Air Base . After Bahraini air crews became familiar with the F-5, they underwent training to prepare to use the F-16 Fighting Falcon . The first Bahraini F-16s, the F-16C/D variants, were acquired in 1990. This made Bahrain the first Gulf country to use
Isa Air Base - Misplaced Pages Continue
2976-513: The 24 fighters to be bought, 13 are in complete condition with intact engines and airframes, and eight of these shall fly after servicing. The remaining 11 fighters are partially complete but with fuel tanks and ejection seats, which will be scavenged to secure parts for the IAF's two existing Mirage squadrons. In December 1982, Peru placed an $ 800 million order for 14 single-seat Mirage 2000Ps and two two-seat Mirage 2000DP trainers, with an option for eight and two more aircraft, respectively. Although
3069-405: The 65-minute flight, Coureau took the aircraft to Mach 1.02 without afterburner, before climbing to more than 12,000 m and accelerating the aircraft to Mach 1.3. By the end of May, the aircraft had surpassed Mach 2 and an indicated airspeed of 1,200 kilometres per hour (650 kn). On the other end of the speed spectrum, the Mirage 2000 proved to be capable of low-speed flight, as demonstrated at
3162-419: The 65-minute flight, the aircraft reached a speed of Mach 1.5. The variant entered operational service in 1988, initially operating from Luxeuil Air Base with the 4 Escadre de Chasse. Closely derived from the Mirage 2000N is a dedicated conventional attack variant designated Mirage 2000D. Initial flight of the Mirage 2000D prototype, a modified Mirage 2000N prototype, was on 19 February 1991. The first flight of
3255-455: The Air Force's existing F-16 fleet. Bahrain has confirmed its order for 12 Bell AH-1Z Viper , six months after the US Department of State approved the deal, worth an estimated $ 912 million, under the Foreign Military Sales process. The attack helicopters will be delivered from the second half of 2022. Helicopters Enhance Training Proficiency of Royal Bahrain Air Force. Bell Textron Inc.,
3348-463: The F-15 and the similarly sized F-16, which has a wing loading of 110 lb/sq ft. At normal combat load, however, the wing loading reduces to 45 lb/sq ft. One related advantage of the delta-wing design, and especially the Mirage 2000's blending of the wing root and engine, is that it could accommodate more fuel, as the aircraft's internal fuel tanks can carry over 900 gallons of fuel, up more than 200 gallons over
3441-674: The F-16. Before this, the country considered several American and European advanced fighter aircraft, including the F-15 Eagle , F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Hornet , Mirage 2000 , and Tornado . Bahraini pilots were trained on F-16 operations at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida in 1989, and the first F-16 formally was handed over to the BAAF in March of that year. The first four F-16s were sent to Bahrain, flown by Bahraini pilots, in May 1990. Around this time
3534-534: The Gulf state hoped the first planes will be delivered in 2021. The sale of F-16 Vipers and related equipment to Bahrain was first approved by the U.S. State Department in 2016 during the Obama administration but it was delayed over human rights concerns. President Donald Trump dropped the human rights conditions last year. The State Department then approved the sale of 19 aircraft worth $ 2.78 billion, and another $ 1.1 billion to upgrade Bahrain's existing fleet of 20 F-16s to
3627-620: The IAF has bought a number of the cheaper US Paveway II laser-guided bomb kits for use with the Israeli Litening laser designator pods (LDPs), but certain parts of the Paveway kit were not available, as they were under US embargo. The aircraft were heavily modified in a short time frame to drop laser-guided bombs as well as conventional unguided bombs . Due to a lack of enemy air action, aircrew quickly became highly proficient in dropping dumb bombs. IAF Mirage 2000s have reportedly only used
3720-419: The Indian government approved purchase of 10 Mirage 2000Hs, featuring improved avionics, particularly an upgraded RDM 7 radar; they were delivered in 2007 for a total of 50 aircraft. Dassault replaced the Mirage 2000 with the newer Rafale as its contender due to the impending closure of the Mirage 2000 production line. As India placed its third Mirage 2000 order, the government announced its intention to upgrade
3813-479: The Indian government's comptroller and auditor general reported delays in the construction of overhaul facilities and a shortage of spare parts, which had led to the fleet being unable to meet its required flying hours. India also purchased ATLIS II pods and several Matra Bombe Guidée Laser (BGL) Arcole 1,000 kg laser-guided penetrating bombs for the Mirage. The ATLIS II pods have an inherent limitation in that they are unusable at high altitudes. In its place,
Isa Air Base - Misplaced Pages Continue
3906-662: The Isa Air Base, along with the BAAF. The operations lasted from 25 January 1991 until the end of the war, with an average of six sorties per day. A second batch of ten F-16s commenced delivery in 2000 under the Peace Crown II program. The new aircraft represented a further increase in the air force's combat capabilities, as they were equipped to carry the AMRAAM missile, first used by the USAF in 1992. Air-to-air armament had been limited to
3999-742: The M53—the M53-5, which equipped initial operational aircraft, was rated at 88 kN (20,000 lb f ) of thrust with afterburner. The definitive version of the engine, the M53-P2, which equipped the majority of the type, is rated at 65 kN (15,000 lb f ) in dry thrust and 95 kN (21,000 lb f ) in afterburner. The Mirage 2000 is equipped with built-in twin DEFA 554 autocannon (now GIAT 30–550 F4) 30 mm revolver-type cannons with 125 rounds each. The cannons have selectable fire rates of 1,200 or 1,800 rounds per minute . The Mirage 2000-5
4092-563: The MiG-21 and an IAF Mil Mi-17 helicopter shot down by friendly fire. During the 2020 China-India standoff , India deployed Mirage 2000Is along the line of actual control , particularly after the Galwan Valley skirmish near Pangong Tso in the Ladakh region. In September 2021, France agreed to sell some of its retired Mirage 2000 airframes to India, at a price of €1 million per plane. Out of
4185-528: The Mirage 2000 in the flight-testing phase. No other aircraft of this potential was being offered for export. An internal assessment of the Mirage 2000 was carried out and the Indian government felt that the French plane was more advanced and a superior response to the F-16s that the US was to supply to Pakistan, and approached France for 150 Mirage 2000s. In October 1982, the country placed an order with Dassault for 36 single-seat Mirage 2000Hs and four twin-seat Mirage 2000THs (with H standing for "Hindustan") with
4278-434: The Mirage 2000C included the Thales TV/CT CLDP laser designator pod and the multimode RDY, which allows detection of up to 24 targets and the ability to simultaneously track eight threats while guiding four MICA missiles to different targets. Updates to defensive systems included the ICMS 2 countermeasures suite and the Samir DDM missile warning system. ICMS 2 incorporates a receiver and associated signal processing system in
4371-533: The Mirage 2000N, greatly extending its range. Enhancements to offensive systems included a datalink for the targeting of MICA EM missiles, the addition of the Damocles forward-looking infrared (FLIR) targeting pod, and a newer, more stealthy Thales RDY-2 all-weather synthetic aperture radar with moving target indicator capability, which also grants the aircraft improved air-to-ground capability. The avionics were further updated with higher resolution color displays, an optional Topsight helmet-mounted display, and
4464-425: The Mirage G8A, a fixed-geometry derivative of the Mirage G8 that served as the competitor to the Panavia Tornado. The Mirage G8, which was envisioned as the "Avion de Combat Futur" (ACF or Future Combat Aircraft) of the French Air Force ( Armee de l'Air , AdA ), did not align with the service's conception of its future aircraft. The AdA wanted a Mach 3 fighter, not an interdictor aircraft incapable of dogfighting that
4557-408: The Mirage III. The aircraft's fuselage is of traditional monocoque construction made of almost entirely of metal. The fuselage has been area-ruled to maintain a constant cross-sectional area along with the delta wing to minimise drag. The aircraft uses retractable tricycle landing gear by Messier-Dowty , with twin nosewheels and a single wheel on each main gear. A runway tailhook or a fairing for
4650-408: The Paveway LGB on eight occasions, mainly for the destruction of enemy command bunkers. In 1999, when the Kargil War broke out, the IAF was asked to act jointly with ground troops on 25 May. The code name assigned to their role was Operation Safed Sagar and the Mirage 2000 flew its first sortie on 30 May. This multi-role aircraft, the most advanced in the IAF, performed remarkably well during
4743-461: The Super Mirage was cancelled. The ACF was a strike aircraft first and an interceptor second, while the Delta 2000 was the reverse, but the single-engine Delta 2000 was much more affordable. At the same National Defence Council meeting, a redesignated Mirage 2000 was offered to the AdA , and three prototypes were ordered. The AdA in March 1976 issued a set of official requirements whose parameters matched those of Dassault's performance estimates of
SECTION 50
#17328518462084836-402: The Thomson-CSF Radar Doppler Multifunction (RDM), and were powered by the SNECMA M53-5 turbofan engine. The 38th Mirage 2000C had an upgraded SNECMA M53-P2 turbofan engine. The Radar Doppler à Impulsion (RDI) built by Thales for the Mirage 2000C entered service in 1987. It has a much improved range of about 150 km, and is linked to Matra Super 530D missiles, which are much improved compared to
4929-419: The U.S. Department of Defense said in a release. Work under the $ 1,124,545,002 fixed-price-incentive-firm contract is expected to be complete by 30 September 2023, the Friday, 22 June release said. In October, the government of Bahrain announced that it had finalized a $ 3.8 billion deal with Lockheed for the F-16 purchase. Bahrain Royal Air Force commander Major General Shaikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said
5022-485: The UAE signed a $ 3.2 billion contract that consisted of an order for 30 Mirage 2000-9s, as well as the deal to upgrade 33 of the surviving SAD-8 aircraft up the new standard. The contract was later amended so it would encompass 32 new-built aircraft—20 single-seater Mirage 2000-9s and 12 two-seater 2000-9Ds—and 30 upgrade kits for original aircraft. The aircraft were equipped with a classified countermeasures system designated IMEWS. Although deliveries were scheduled for 2001,
5115-434: The United States for additional training, which can include the U.S. Air Force 's Air University's Squadron Officer School , the Air Command and Staff College , or the Air War College . The RBAF also takes part in training exercises with other air forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Bahrain is planning to recapitalize its fighter fleet. Replacement of the F-5 fleet is to be accomplished with additional F-16 orders in
5208-438: The Viper configuration in September 2017. The proposed sales also include additional equipment and support. Hamid said in October that the purchase of the other three aircraft was still a possibility. The air force had 650 personnel in 1992 and 1,500 in 2009. The personnel of the RBAF are trained at the Royal Bahraini Air Force Technical Institute and the Training Wing. Every year a number of Bahraini officers are also sent to
5301-401: The addition of the modular data-processing unit designed for the Rafale. A new Thales Totem 3000 inertial navigation system with ring laser gyroscope and GPS capability were added, providing much greater accuracy, higher reliability, and shorter alignment time than the older ULISS 52 navigation system it replaced. Other upgrades included the addition of an on-board oxygen generation system for
5394-401: The advances within the radar. Despite the increase in offensive capability, pilot workload is compensated for by the introduction of a multidisplay glass cockpit, based on the development of the Rafale. The aircraft has the ICMS Mk2 countermeasures suit, which contains three radar detectors and an infrared sensor that are linked to active jammers and chaff/flare dispensers. Improvements over
5487-437: The advantages, such as low drag, low radar cross section , ideal high-speed aerodynamics, and large internal volume, as well as simplicity, provided by the absence of horizontal tail surfaces. Its aircraft flight control system is fly-by-wire, with two distinct modes of operation. The first allows for unrestricted operations within its full allowed flight envelope, and is used when carrying only air-to-air weapons. The second
5580-423: The air-to-ground mode, the RDY has navigation and attack functions that give it deep-strike and close-support capabilities. Capable of automatically locking onto multiple targets at first contact, the radar could detect flying targets travelling as low as 60 m (200 ft). The introduction of the radar allows the aircraft to use the MICA missile, up to six of which could be fired simultaneously at targets due to
5673-436: The centre of gravity, or neutral point, is placed ahead of the centre of pressure, enhancing maneuverability. It incorporates negative stability and fly-by-wire controls with four analog computers . As first demonstrated at the 1978 Farnborough Airshow, such designs, as well as the use of computer-controlled dynamic controls were capable of overcoming the delta-wing shortcomings related to poor low-speed control, while retaining
SECTION 60
#17328518462085766-423: The construction of Isa Air Base was complete, which is where the Bahraini F-16s have been based. Both the F-16 and the F-5 were operated by Bahrain in the Gulf War , during which the BAAF carried out air strikes against Iraq . The new Bahraini F-16s were flown by the 1st Tactical Fighter Squadron in Operation Desert Storm, operating alongside coalition forces, which included 200 American aircraft based out of
5859-422: The contract was signed in 1985, the Peruvian government, due to the country's financial issues , renegotiated the number of aircraft to be reduced to 10 single-seaters and two two-seaters. Handover of the first aircraft occurred in June 1985, although the first deliveries to Peru were not made until December 1986, after the initial training of pilots in France had been completed. The Peruvian Air Force ordered
5952-410: The development programme consisting of 20 engines, the M53 sans suffix was first bench tested in February 1970, and became airborne on a Caravelle testbed in July 1973. Dassault conducted flight tests of the M53-2 version using its Mirage F1E testbeds starting in December 1974; this version produced 84 kilonewtons (19,000 lb f ) in afterburner. The Mirage 2000 itself was powered by two versions of
6045-399: The earlier aircraft, namely the reduction in fin height and an increased fin sweep, redesigned air inlets, and an FBW system. The only dual-seat Mirage 2000B of the test programme first flew on 11 October 1980. The first production Mirage 2000C (C for chasseur , "fighter") flew on 20 November 1982. Deliveries to the AdA began in 1983. The first 37 Mirage 2000Cs delivered were fitted with
6138-514: The existing fleet, as well. A period of protracted negotiations followed for the next several years, during which India and Dassault came close to signing a contract several times. In July 2011, India approved a $ 2.2 billion upgrade package for its Mirage 2000s. Valued at $ 43 million per aircraft, it upgrades the fleet to Mirage 2000-5 Mk. 2 standards, with provisions made for the use of a night vision-capable glass cockpit, upgraded navigation and IFF systems, an advanced multimode multilayered radar, and
6231-438: The first aircraft arrived in the spring of 2003. The UAE's Mirage 2000-9s are equipped for the strike mission, with the Shehab laser targeting pod (a variant of the Damocles ) and the Nahar navigation pod, complementing the air-to-ground modes of the RDY-2 radar. They are also equipped with a classified countermeasures system designated IMEWS, which is comparable to the ICMS 3. Emirati Mirage 2000s are armed with weapons such as
6324-601: The first aircraft in March 2015. The single-seat version was redesignated Mirage 2000I and the twin-seat version Mirage 2000TI . On 26 February 2019, 12 Mirage 2000s were used to strike an alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot , Pakistan. This engagement was the first time since the 1971 war that IAF fighters had entered Pakistani airspace. All aircraft were armed with one Israeli Spice 2000 (one-tonne) bomb. The next day, IAF Mirage 2000Is, Su-30MKIs , and MiG-21s were used against Pakistan Air Force JF-17s , Mirage IIIs , and F-16s , whose aim
6417-403: The fuselages were fabricated at Argenteuil (NW of Paris), with final assembly taking place at Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport . The first prototype, Mirage 2000 No. 01, though, was hand built at Saint-Cloud , before being moved to Dassault's Istres facility for assembly. At the hands of Jean Coureau, No. 01 made its first flight on 10 March 1978, a mere 27 months after the programme go-ahead. During
6510-416: The mid-1980s the air wing became the new Bahrain Amiri Air Force (BAAF). In the early years the Bahraini Air Force participated in training with other countries and helped recover U.S. Navy sailors after the USS Stark incident during the Iran-Iraq War . Because of regional conflicts like the Iran-Iraq War and the Gulf War , during the 1980s and 1990s Bahrain expanded its military with the assistance of
6603-411: The near term, while longer-term plans call for a more capable aircraft to be acquired to add to or replace the F-16 fleet. Bahrain is considering buying the Eurofighter Typhoon , the JAS 39 Gripen , the Dassault Rafale , or the F-35 Lightning II . The British government is in early talks with Bahrain over a potential order for the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter. In September 2016 it was announced that
6696-559: The new fighter. The aircraft's primary role was interception with a secondary ground-attack capability; the AdA had a commitment for 200 aircraft. The first aircraft was to be delivered in 1982. This was a return to the first-generation Mirages, but with several important innovations that tried to solve their shortcomings. The production of the Mirage 2000 involved three construction sites, two located in Bordeaux that specialised in different components. The wings were built at Martignas , and
6789-425: The nose for detecting hostile missile-command data links, and can be interfaced to a new programmable mission-planning and postmission analysis ground system. Avionics were also updated, using a new night vision -compatible glass cockpit layout borrowed from the Dassault Rafale , a dual-linked wide-angle head-up display , and HOTAS controls. The Mirage 2000-5 can also carry the oversized drop tanks developed for
6882-480: The older Super 530F. Look-down/shoot-down capabilities are much improved, as well, but this radar is not usually used for air-to-surface roles. The Mirage 2000N is a dedicated nuclear-strike variant, which was intended to carry the Air-Sol Moyenne Portée (ASMP) nuclear stand-off missile. Flight tests of the first of two prototypes, Mirage 2000N 01 (the eighth Mirage 2000) began on 3 February 1983. During
6975-559: The operation. Bahrain's forces remained in Saudi Arabia in assistance of the coalition through 2015. An RBAF F-16 was lost when it crashed after a technical problem in December 2015. The Bahraini Air Force ended its participation in the operation in Yemen in February 2016. In 2018, Lockheed Martin was awarded a $ 1.1 billion contract to produce 16 F-16 Viper Block 70 fighter aircraft for Bahrain,
7068-535: The pilot and an ICMS 3 digital countermeasures suite. The first aircraft entered service in July 1984. The first operational squadron was formed during the same year, the 50th anniversary of the French Air Force. About 124 Mirage 2000Cs were obtained by the AdA . French Mirage 2000s were used during the Gulf War , where they flew high-altitude air defence for USAF U-2 spy aircraft, as well as in UN and NATO air operations during
7161-425: The pilot to retain control at AoAs past 25°, assisted by the small strakes mounted along each air intake. Some composites have been used for the fins, rudder, elevons, and various access panels, giving a weight saving of some 100 kg. The Mirage 2000 has been noted for its superb handling, especially given its delta-wing design. Dassault engineers have embedded into the design a certain degree of relaxed stability as
7254-434: The possibility of a follow-on purchase of nine aircraft (eight single- and one twin-seater aircraft) as war, maintenance and attrition reserve. The purchase of 150 aircraft, could well have paved the way for joint production with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited , but the number of aircraft ordered (40+9) was too small for such an arrangement. India nevertheless had the option to produce a number of Mirage 2000s under license that
7347-583: The sale of 20 upgrade kits to upgrade Bahrain's existing F-16 fleet to the F-16V Viper variant, the most advanced variant of the F-16, featuring the AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar, a new mission computer developed by Raytheon , modern cockpit displays and other electronics upgrades. In October 2017, Bahraini officials announced that Bahrain had signed a deal worth $ 3.8 billion with Lockheed Martin for upgraded F-16s, as well as upgrade kits for
7440-656: The sale of up to 19 further F-16s had been submitted to the US Congress for approval, however the White House later advised that it would not complete the approval unless it showed progress on human rights issues arising from the Bahraini protests of 2011 . In September 2017, the United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved the sale of up to 22 F-16 Block 70 /72 aircraft, as well as
7533-575: The short-range AIM-9M Sidewinder missile and internal cannon through the Gulf War. After the war, the country began to acquire more advanced weapons, including the AIM-7M Sparrow radar-guided air-to-air missile and LANTIRN navigation and targeting pod for air-to-ground weapons that would also be acquired such as the GBU-10/12 laser guided bombs and AGM-65D/G Maverick air-to-ground missiles. In 1994
7626-415: The small load of air-to-air missiles it could carry. Consequently, Dassault in April 1989 announced that with the cooperation of Thomson-CSF, it would be working on a privately funded update of the Mirage 2000C, which was to be named the Mirage 2000-5. A two-seat Mirage 2000B prototype was extensively modified as the first Mirage 2000-5 prototype, and it first flew on 24 October 1990. A Mirage 2000C prototype
7719-670: The type was No. 1 Squadron (the Tigers), which was formally designated a Mirage 2000 unit in January 1986. Within 12 months of the first delivery, the IAF had received all 40 aircraft ordered. The follow-on order for nine aircraft was signed in 1986. Five aircraft were delivered by 1990, two more in 1992, and the last two aircraft were delivered in 1994. As such, full unit establishment was not achieved until 1990. The Mirage 2000 fleet encountered other issues during its first decade of service, which were largely operational and maintenance-based. In 1995,
7812-432: The whole conflict in the high Himalayas , and was considered the game changer in the two-month war. During Operation Safed Sagar from May to July 1999, the two Mirage squadrons flew a total of 514 sorties with only three drop outs. No. 1 Squadron flew 274 air defence and strike escort missions, while No. 7 Squadron conducted 240 strike missions during which it dropped 55,000 kg (121,000 lb) of ordnance. During
7905-441: Was also reworked to a similar standard, making its initial flight on 27 April 1991. The first front-line aircraft variant to have been designed specifically in response to the export market, Taiwan was the first country to order the type in 1992, followed by Qatar in 1994. The type was first delivered in 1996 and entered service in 1997. Domestically, Dassault needed an order from the AdA to help promote foreign sales, and in 1993,
7998-472: Was delivered on 23 November 2007 to the Hellenic Air Force ; afterwards, the production line was shut down. The Mirage 2000 is a supersonic combat aircraft of metal construction that shares the general delta-wing layout with the Mirage III, yet incorporates avionics advances that help overcome the latter's aerodynamic limitations. The aircraft's low-set, thin wing has a leading-edge sweep back of 58° and
8091-736: Was designated a detachment of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing of Al Udeid Air Base , Qatar . This detachment's purpose was to accelerate the delivery of mine-resistant ambush-protected all-terrain vehicles to U.S. forces in Afghanistan. As part of its operations against ISIL , the United States has deployed various aircraft there. As of August 27, 2020, KBR is in charge of base operations support services at Isa Air Base. Royal Bahraini Air Force The Royal Bahraini Air Force ( Arabic : سلاح الجو الملكي البحريني , abbreviated as RBAF , formerly known as Bahrain Amiri Air Force )
8184-493: Was formed in 1968, just before the country became independent from United Kingdom in 1971, first organized an air wing in May 1976 at Riffa Air Base , which received its first aircraft, four Bo 105 helicopters, in February 1977. This occurred after Bahrain sent the air wing's future members to receive training from allied countries in 1974. The small force grew gradually, receiving 12 Augusta Bell Twin Huey helicopters in 1978, and in
8277-911: Was later scrapped due to the country's close relationship with the Soviet Union. This led to the induction of the MiG-29 instead, overriding reservations expressed by the IAF. With the delivery of the first seven aircraft on 29 June 1985 to No. 7 Squadron , the Battleaxes, the Indian Air Force (IAF) became the first foreign user of the type, which it renamed the Vajra ( Sanskrit : वज्र , for Lightning , Thunderbolt ). The service's early aircraft were powered by Snecma M53-5 engines (so were designated Mirage 2000H5 and Mirage 2000TH5), which were quickly replaced by more powerful M53-P2 engines. The second unit to convert to
8370-596: Was purchased by the Air Force in 2007 and placed in service with the Bahrain Royal Flight. Bahrain would again engage in combat operations as part of the Saudi Arabia-led Operation Decisive Storm , operating from bases in Saudi Arabia against Houthi rebel forces in Yemen during March and April 2015. Initially, fifteen F-16 aircraft were deployed as the RBAF contribution to combat forces in
8463-550: Was the Mirage G8. As such, Dassault redesigned the Mirage G8 into the two-engine Super Mirage G8A that would prove to be ambitious and expensive, being two and a half times the price of the Mirage F1 and over-engineered, especially compared to the General Dynamics F-16 that had just won orders from a number of European countries. Consequently, during a meeting of the National Defence Council on 18 December 1975,
8556-457: Was to target Indian Army ammunition dumps and other infrastructure near Srinagar , Poonch and Jammu area, according to Indian government officials. However, Pakistani officials say that air strikes in India by Pakistan Air Force jets were meant to demonstrate Pakistan's capability and Pakistani jets were ordered to drop their bombs in open space to avoid any human or collateral damage. This led to
8649-543: Was to test some of the avionics systems and the carriage of weapons. Due to a flame-out while on a landing approach, the aircraft was lost in May 1984. No. 03 made its first flight in April 1979; equipped with a complete weapons system, it was used for radar and weapons trials. After 400 hours of flight, they were sent to Centre d'Essais en Vol , flight tests centre. Although three prototypes were ordered in December 1975, Dassault constructed an additional fourth single-seat demonstrator for its own purposes, which embodied lessons on
#207792