Mirage 2000 Fighters

The Mirage 2000 was the main fighter of the French Air Force and it is used for interception and strike missions. The first aircraft were delivered in March 1976 and while their shape looks like the Mirage III / 5 and 50, it is a completely new aircraft with advanced interception systems.

The Mirage 2000 was specialized from the beginning in all-weather interceptions and is one of them most capable fighters in the world offering high agility in air combat. For the supporting role for ground targets Mirage 2000 carries missiles, rockets and laser-guided bombs. Finally, there is the two-seater model of the aircraft, the 2000N, capable of launching long-range nuclear weapons.

Dassault has managed to reduce the disadvantages of the delta wing (high speed approach, need for a large runway and take-off, instability in large angles of attack) thanks to the canard fins and the installation of a Fly-By-Wire system, while enhancing the inherit design advantages. Thus, the enhanced thickness of the wing at its root increases the strength of the aircraft and increases the interior space available for carrying fuel. It also results in reduced drag at ultrasonic speeds and increased flexibility.

As per French tradition, the export version "E" was developed with additional multi-role features and has been purchased by five countries: Greece (40 Mirage EGM / BGM), India (59 Mirage 2000H5 / H / TH), Peru (12 Mirage 2000EP / DR), Egypt (20 Mirage 2000EM / BM) and the United Arab Emirates (36 Mirage 2000EAD / RAD / DAD). The aircraft joined the inventory of the Hellenic Airforce in 1988 under the Talos procurement programme and is it used for intercepting missions, but also in anti-ship roles by using EXOCET missiles. The aircrafts operate out of the 114 Battle Wing in Tanagra (hosting the 331 and 332 Squadrons with call signs "Theseus" and "Falcon" respectively).

RDM radar deficiencies

In an effort to limit overall spending, the Hellenic Air Force decided to equip its aircraft with lower performance subsystems, compared to the optimal solutions offered by the manufacturer. Indicatively, although Dassault Aviation had developed and offered the advanced RDI radar, which was mainly intended for interception missions and had just been adopted by the French Air Force, the Greek military authorities opted for the "basic" RDM. The RDM offered configurations for air-to-ground missions and was a multi-role radar, which, however, was not needed by HAF as it was clear that it would use the Mirage 2000 exclusively for interception. RDM offered limited capabilities in air-to-air combat and multi-target engagement, while beyond visual range (BVR) capabilites relied on the semi-active guided missiles Super 5300, when the use of autonomous guided missiles was already the norm. At the same time, the radar detection performance problems required modifications and as a result, the Hellenic Air Force stopped deliveries after the 28th aircraft and was deprived for a long time of a significant number of aircraft.

ICMS 2000 system

The Integrated Counter-Measures System 2000 (ICMS 2000) was specially designed for internal installation in the MIRAGE 2000 and is compatible with the aircraft's navigation and attack systems. It is a sophisticated, fully automated and reprogrammable system that ensures tracking and early warning for all incoming threats as well as launching counter measures on selected threats with active ECMs. The system has multiple computer-controlled configurations to deal with multiple threats. The RWR subsystem is manufactured by Thomson-CSF and covers C to J bands, while extending to the K-zone is also offered.

ICMS 2000 includes two different interferometers: the interference subsystem low frequency is made by Thomson-CSF, while the high frequency interferometer Dassault Electronique ABD 2000 covers frequency bands H to J - 6-20GHz - and was designed for standalone and automatic operation. Its reaction time is approximately 0.7 sec from the detection of the threat until the launch of countermeasures. The threat libraries of the subsystems are independent, under the control of the management unit that compares data and sets threat priorities.

The Mirage in the Greek Air Force

On August 11, 1989, 332 Squadron was founded at the 114 Battle Wing (Tanagra), bearing the call sign "Geraki". It operated out of the facilities previously owned by the 334 Squadron, which moved to Heraklion, Crete. On November 1, 1989, the Squadron received its first batch of 14 fighters aircraft (10 single-seater and 4 two-seater), while on 15 July 1990 the initial training was completed and the pilots and technicians were redistributed so that the two Squadrons would have an equal number of human resources. In November 1990, the Squadron passed all evaluation checks and was declared operational, at which time the aircrafts started carrying out intercepting missions over the Aegean.

Upon receipt of the Matra Super 530D air-to-air missiles and the integration of the modern self-defense system (Integrated Counter Measures System - ICMS), the M-2000 emerged as the most capable aircraft in the Hellenic Air Force inventory, of its time.

The Mirage 2000EGM / BGM fighters which have not been upgraded to the Mirage 2000-5 variant continue to serve in anti-ship missions, using the AM39 Exocet Block II surface-to-air missile. It should be noted that the operational availability of the 37 remaining missiles (ordered in 1999) has come into doubt, as the relevant re-certification programs announced since 2014 never progressed! Nevertheless, in November 2020 the Minister of Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos stated that "regarding the support of the AM-39 EXOCET missiles, this is to be included in the arms supply contract for the procurement of the Rafale aircraft".

The older Mirage 2000 aircraft can also be used in FIR policing roles, provided that the use of the MICA IR air-to-air missile is certified. The Air Force had attempted in 2011 - 2012 to integrate the weapon but without success, which means that the relevant program will require the investment of a significant amount of funds. The use of the R550 Magic II missiles is also questionable, as the relevant certification programs have also not progressed and the 302 missiles have questionable operational value. The manufacturing company stated their inability to support these weapons starting November 2020.

It is worth noting that the Mirage 2000EGM / BGM aircraft is equipped with the best integrated self-defense system and electronic warfare (E) in the ranks of the Hellenic Air Force. The ICMS 2000 Mk.1, which is upgradeable to Mk.3, offers advanced jamming capabilities and the aircraft can also be used in ELINT / SIGINT (electronic surveillance and interception) roles, provided that the ASTAC pods are certified for use with them. The Hellenic Air Force procured in 2002 three such pods, with have been used with the olded RF-4E of 348 Reconnaissance Squadron.

I.Androulakis - 09 February 2003