13.04.2025, 07:20
Zitat:France declares upgraded Mirage 2000D operationalhttps://www.janes.com/osint-insights/def...perational
The French Air and Space Force has declared its upgraded Dassault Mirage 2000D combat aircraft to be fully operational. Announced on 10 April, the milestone brings to an end a decade-long mid-life upgrade (MLU) programme that was launched in 2015. [...] A fleet of 50 modernised aircraft will be in service by the end of 2025 from Air Base 133 in Nancy-Ochey [...].
The Mirage 2000DRMV (D Rénovation Mi-Vie), as the upgraded platform is designated, features enhancements to the weapons and avionics systems as France looks to maintain the airframe as a force multiplier to the Dassault Rafale in the close air support, and interdiction and strike roles.
For weapons, the Mirage 2000DRMV has been fitted with a 30 mm cannon pod; the retired MBDA R550 Magic 2 short-range air-to-air missile (AAM) has been replaced with the newer MBDA MICA InfraRed (IR) AAM; and the Sagem Armement Air-Sol Modulaire (AASM) Hammer precision-guided munition (PGM) has been integrated. The aircraft has also been made compatible with the Thales Talios laser designation pod as fitted to the Rafale.
The French Air and Space Force described the upgraded avionics as comprising “a renovated architecture, a more intuitive and digitalised dashboard, [and an] ergonomic and real-time tactical vision [system]”. There has been no announcement on the possible integration of the Astac electronic intelligence pod previously fitted to the now-retired Dassault Mirage F1 and trialled on the Mirage 2000D.
The Mirage 2000D has been in service since 1993, and the now modernised Mirage 2000DRMV is slated to remain in service through to beyond 2030.
Schneemann