Mirage 2000: which countries use it, why and how?
Find out exactly which countries use the Mirage 2000, under what conditions they use it, and for what missions.
The Mirage 2000, a true flagship of the French aerospace industry, continues to play a strategic role in several armed forces around the world. Between official sales, ambitious upgrades, and concrete operational commitments, the trajectories of its various users offer a fascinating insight into modern air defense.
Countries using the Mirage 2000
France
France, which initiated the program, remains the main user. In December 2023, it had 97 Mirage 2000s, including 65 Mirage 2000Ds, 26 Mirage 2000-5Fs and 6 Mirage 2000B-S5s.
A modernization project, the RMV program, aims to upgrade 48 to 55 Mirage 2000Ds to keep them operational beyond 2030, including the addition of a 30mm CC422 cannon pod.
Egypt, Greece, India
- Egypt: approximately 19 Mirage 2000 aircraft in service (15 EM + 4 BM).
- Greece: approximately 29 Mirage 2000 aircraft, consisting of Mirage 2000EG and Mirage 2000-5/Mk II.
- India: 55 Mirage 2000, including 44 H/I and 11 TH/TI (two-seater version), regularly upgraded locally.
Peru, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates
- Peru: small fleet of 12 aircraft, 10 P and 2 DP.
- Taiwan (Republic of China): approximately 53 Mirage 2000-5, divided between 44 EI (single-seater) and 9 DI (two-seater).
- United Arab Emirates: approximately 59 Mirage 2000, including 44-9 EAD/RAD and 15-9 DAD, and a few reconnaissance variants.
Ukraine (new user)
Ukraine will receive a first batch of modernized Mirage 2000-5F aircraft starting in February 2025, including electronic warfare capabilities and the use of SCALP-EG and MICA missiles.
Despite the loss of one aircraft in July 2025, its Mirages remain in service mainly for air defense.
Under what conditions?
Official exports
Of the approximately 600 Mirage 2000s produced, 50% have been exported to eight countries: Brazil, Egypt, Greece, India, Peru, Qatar, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.
Modernization and training programs
The French Mirage 2000D RMV model is undergoing structural and avionics upgrades to extend its operational life.
In Ukraine, pilots are trained in France for several months before delivery.
Withdrawals and redeployments
Countries such as Brazil and Qatar have withdrawn or transferred their fleets: Brazil withdrew its aircraft in 2013; some were sold to Procor.
An Indonesian project to purchase 12 Qatari aircraft was canceled in 2024.
What missions are they used for?
Air defense and interception
The Mirage 2000 was originally designed for air defense with high performance (Mach 2.2+, ceiling ~18,300 m).
In Ukraine, the aircraft are used to intercept enemy missiles and drones.
Ground attack
The 2000D version (and the modernized -5s) specializes in ground attack missions, with the ability to carry guided munitions and missiles such as the SCALP-EG or AASM.
External missions and history
The Mirage 2000D has been deployed in Afghanistan, Libya, etc., participating in the operational history of the Mirage 2000 in modern conflicts.
Maintenance and training
Each air force provides training for Mirage 2000 pilots and maintenance, often in cooperation with Dassault. In France, training takes place in Nancy.
Concrete examples and figures
- Total production: ~600 Mirage 2000s.
- Exports: ~50%, distributed across eight countries.
- France: ~97 aircraft in 2023.
- India: 55 aircraft, modernized locally.
- UAE: 59.
- Taiwan: 53.
- Egypt: 19.
- Greece: 29.
- Peru: 12.
- Ukraine: approximately 6 received, 5 remaining in service after an accident.
The Mirage 2000 in combat conditions: actual engagements and results
The operational history of the Mirage 2000 is marked by several deployments in combat situations, where it has demonstrated solid performance in a variety of contexts. Since the late 1980s, some countries using the Mirage 2000 have engaged it in real operations, confirming its versatility.
In 1999, during the Kargil War, the Indian air force equipped with the Mirage 2000 used the aircraft for high-altitude precision ground attack missions. Thanks to its SNECMA M53 engines, capable of maintaining good performance above 5,000 m, and its laser-guided bomb payload, the Mirage 2000 played a decisive role in neutralizing fortified positions. These strikes were carried out with a high success rate and no combat losses, further enhancing the fighter’s reputation in the region.
French Mirage 2000s have also been deployed in overseas operations in the Middle East, Africa, and the Balkans. In Afghanistan, starting in 2002, the 2000D versions carried out ground attack missions and close air support, often in coordination with ground troops. The precision of the guided weapons, combined with the robustness of the airframe, made it possible to achieve objectives with minimal risk to the crews.
In the field of air defense with the Mirage 2000, several notable successes have been recorded. In 1987, an Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 forced a Pakistani aircraft to withdraw after interception, illustrating the technical capabilities of the Mirage 2000 in air combat. More recently, Taiwanese Mirage 2000-5s have regularly intercepted and tracked Chinese aircraft entering the air defense identification zone (ADIZ), demonstrating their relevance in a context of strategic tension.
Overall, countries that have deployed the Mirage 2000 in operations report good performance: flight stability, reliable navigation systems, effective integration of modern weapons thanks to the modernization of the Mirage 2000, and above all, an ability to fulfill its mission with a satisfactory availability rate. Even when faced with modern air defense systems, appropriate tactics and electronic warfare support have kept losses to a minimum.
| Conflict/Operation | User country | Period | Main mission | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kargil War | India | 1999 | Ground attack, precision bombing | Fortified positions destroyed, total success |
| Operation Heracles / Afghanistan | France | 2002-2012 | Close air support, reconnaissance | Targets neutralized, effective support |
| Operation Harmattan / Libya | France | 2011 | Air strike, neutralization of defenses | Ground-to-air threats eliminated, no losses |
| ADIZ surveillance | Taiwan | Since 2000 | Interception, identification | Incursions prevented, sovereignty maintained |
| Gulf War | Qatar | 1991 | Air patrol, interception | Allied forces protected, no losses |
| Air defense and strikes | Ukraine | Since 2025 | Missile and drone interception | Successful interceptions, one aircraft lost |
The Mirage 2000 remains a pillar of air defense and air-to-ground operations within air forces equipped with the Mirage 2000, despite its age. Its robustness, technical upgradeability (the modernization of the Mirage 2000) and mission diversity—air defense, interception, ground attack, external operations—illustrate its versatility. From long-standing users such as France, India, and Greece to new entrants such as Ukraine, each nation adapts the Mirage 2000’s operating conditions to its strategic context. More than forty years after its first flights, this fighter remains a technical benchmark and a true vehicle for international cooperation.
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