ADF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History
ex-RAAF Mirages in Pakistan Air Force Service
ex-RAAF Mirage in PAF service photo album
After their retirement from service in 1987/88 forty eight
RAAF Mirages were flown to Woomera for storage. They were offered for sale for A$100 million. On 15th April 1990 a contract was signed with Pakistan for fifty aircraft including ground equipment, engines, drop tanks and spares. (Pakistan Air Force project Blue Flash-V) The figure reported here was A$36 million however a number of Pakistani sources state the figure was A$27 million with the payment spread over seven years at approx. A$3.5 million per year. The ground equipment and spares package has been described as "a virtual gift".
It should be mentioned that India was not at all happy with this deal and protested accordingly.
During October 1990 the Mirages were transported by road from Woomera to Whyalla. Two complete aircraft at RAAF Museum Point Cook (A3-13 and A3-84) were also transported as well as five incomplete examples from Darwin, Orchard Hills and Dubbo. In November 1990 they were shipped by sea from Whyalla to Karachi. From Karachi harbour they were transported on trailers to PAF Base Masroor. After some dismantling they were flown by C-130 Hercules to the
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra. There at the
Mirage Rebuild Factory it was discovered that these ex-RAAF Mirages were in far better condition than expected and some did not require a complete overhaul. A new 2P+ inspection was developed for the initial recovery of thirty three aircraft. Another twelve aircraft had the General Overhaul and were eventually bought into service, some fitted with zero timed wings sourced from South Africa.
Of the fifty complete ex-RAAF Mirages acquired forty five eventually entered PAF service (details below). The remaining five were used for spares.
Thirty two single seat aircraft were later upgraded to ROSE 1 (Retrofit of Strike Element) the last one completed in June 1998. This avionics upgrade included Sagem integrated navigation/attack system, multifunction display, HOTAS, HUD, and self protection systems (RWR, chaff and flares).
Further upgrades include Grifo-M radar and AIM-9L AAMs.
(Sources differ as to if 32 or 33 received the ROSE 1 upgrade. I believe that only 32 received the upgrade because one aircraft crashed before it could be upgraded).
The ROSE 1 Mirages (redesignated in PAF service as Mirage IIIEA) were allocated to No.7 Squadron (Bandits) at Masroor in 1996 and to the Combat Commanders School (CCS) at Mushaf in 2003
Seven dual seat aircraft (redesignated in PAF service as Mirage IIIDA) were allocated to No.22 Squadron OCU and No.5 Squadron (Falcons).
In June 2010 No.5 Squadron re-equipped with F-16s, (new build aircraft, not the aircraft that New Zealand was to buy which also went to Pakistan).
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot.
The PAF also acquired the RAAF Mirage Photo Reconnaissance equipment and four aircraft configured in this role served with No.5 Squadron (Falcons)
In 2004 and 2007 Pakistan acquired 50 Mirages and 150 sealed engines from Libya.
These aircraft were to be converted to components to extend the life of the PAF Mirage fleet including the ex-RAAF examples.
However as with the ex-RAAF many Libyan Mirages are flying again.
In 2009 the Mirage IIIEAs started to be equipped with an in-flight refuelling probe,
90-583 serving as the prototype. PAF acquired four
Ilyushin Il-78PMidas tanker aircraft from Ukraine and plan to equip 30 Mirages for in-flight refuelling .
In 2016 the upgraded Mirage IIIEAs began flying with Ra'ad Air Launched Cruise Missiles which are believed to be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead
There have been many
losses of PAF Mirages. The list isn't all that specific about which model was involved. Only two are confirmed as ex-RAAF with only one identified. There are probably others lost. (Indeed 90-610 ex-A3-110 was lost in March 2015 and has not yet been included on the list)
With the Pakistan being the world's largest current user of Mirages (200+ aircraft purchased from France, Australia, Lebanon, Spain and Libya), holding an extensive spare parts inventory and operating a dedicated Mirage Rebuild Factory the ex RAAF Dassault and GAF built Mirages look like they will still be flying well past their 50th birthdays. A PAF official said that a Mirage needs to undergo overhaul after every ten to twelve years or after every 1800 to 2400 flight hours. A Mirage is completely overhauled in about one year.
They are expected to remain in PAF service until replaced by the
JF-17 Thunder in 5 to 10 years time
SUMMARY
50 complete aircraft exported by sea, (48 from Whyalla, South Australia and 2 from Geelong, Victoria)
40 single seat Mirage IIIO stored at Woomera
A3-2, -5, -6, -9, -10, -11, -12, -15, -17, -19, -21, -22, -23, -24, -25, -27, -31, -33, -34, -35,
-38, -39, -49, -53, -54, -56, -60, -62, -65, -68, -71, -73, -81, -83, -86, -87, -88, -93, -96, -99
8 dual seat Mirage IIID stored at Woomera
A3-101, -103, -104, -108, -110, -111, -112, -113. 7 into service, 1 used for spares.
Plus 2 complete single seat Mirage IIIO taken from RAAF Museum Point Cook A3-13, -84 where moved by road and then shipped by sea from Geelong, Victoria.
32 eventually upgraded to ROSE 1 standard, 1 crashed prior to ROSE 1 upgrade. 4 Photo Recon. conversions, 5 used for spares.
Also 5 incomplete aircraft/fuselages; A3-7 (Darwin), -48, -78 (Dubbo), -57, -91 (Orchard Hills)
Pakistan Air Force serials.
Single seat; 90-5xx, were xx is the last two digits of the RAAF serial.
(I have been informed some may have had 89-5xx but have seen no evidence of that myself)
Dual seat; 90-6xx were xx was the last two digits of the RAAF serial
(Not to be confused with the six dual seat Mirages with 8xx serials. These are ex-French Air Force IIIBEs. Their full PAF serial is 96-8xx were the xx is the last two digits of the construction number ie 96-860 is c/n 260, 96-875 is c/n 275 and so on.)
As can be appreciated PAF information is scarce and the following list is derived from publicly available information.
Any further information, corrections and comments are welcome.
Please contact us at
question@adf-serials.com.au
Pakistan
Serial RAAFSerial Aircraft Type Aircraft History
90-502 A3-2 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Our photo shows it initially retained its orange ARDU scheme with PAF serials applied
Repainted in camoflague
90-503 ? Mirage III There is an unidentified Mirage III marked 503 as gate guard at Masroor Air Force Base
It cannot be A3-3 which remains at Fighter World Williamtown.
90-505 A3-5 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Current status unknown
90-506 A3-6 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
16/12/2009 was on a routine training mission when it crashed into Durrab Lake, Kalar Kahar in Chakwal district (PunjabProvince) after developing a technical fault.
The pilot ejected safely and was rescued from the lake.
N/A A3-7 Mirage IIIO Incomplete aircraft delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Current status unknown.
90-509 A3-9 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
26/07/2001 crashed into mountain at 4000ft near Hub River returning to base after a night training exercise.
Group Captain Ali Assad killed.
90-510 A3-10 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Noted in service with Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Equipped with in-flight refueling probe.
Believed to be in in service as 90-510.
90-511 A3-11 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Noted with Recce nose painted Green/Grey on at MRF Kamra 2001.
Served with No.5 Squadron "Falcons"
Configured for Photo Reconnaissance. Uses a different type of Recon nose than that used by the RAAF
Believed to be in service as 90-511
90-512 A3-12 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Participant in Exercise Bright Star (Egypt) 10/2009
Participant in Exercise Indus Viper II against Turkish F-16s 03/2013
Believed to be in service as 90-512
90-513 A3-13 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Entered PAF service retaining RAAF camouflage scheme
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Believed to be in in service as 90-513,
90-515 A3-15 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Believed to be in in service as 90-515
90-517 A3-17 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Current status unknown
90-519 A3-19 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Believed to be in in service as 90-519.
90-521 A3-21 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Current status unknown
90-522 A3-22 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Entered PAF service in camouflage scheme
ROSE 1 upgrade
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Believed to be in in service as 90-522.
90-523 A3-23 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
7/04/2004 noted damaged at Masroor AB, Pakistan, stored and used for spares.
90-524 A3-24 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Believed to be in in service as 90-524.
90-525 A3-25 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Equipped with in-flight refueling probe
Believed to be in service as 90-525
90-527 A3-27 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Participant in Exercise Indus Viper II against Turkish F-16s 03/2013
Believed to be in service as 90-527
90-531 A3-31 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Participant in Falcon Air Meet 2010 at Azraq Royal Jordanian Air Base.
Won bombing competition against aircraft from Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and the U.S. Navy and Air Force.
Believed to be in service as 90-531
90-533 A3-33 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Initially retained the silver with red scallop RAAF 75 Squadron Mirage Retirement scheme
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Equipped with in-flight refuelling probe.
Believed to be in service as 90-533
90-534 A3-34 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Current status unknown
90-535 A3-35 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Participant in Exercise Bright Star (Egypt) 10/2009
Believed to be in service as 90-535
90-538 A3-38 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Participant in Exercise Bright Star (Egypt) 10/2009
Participant in Falcon Air Meet 2010 at Azraq Royal Jordanian Air Base.
Noted carrying Ra'ad Air Launched Cruise Missile 2016
Believed to be in service as 90-538
90-539 A3-39 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Current status unknown
N/A A3-48 Mirage IIIO Incomplete aircraft delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Fuselage noted in the storage yard of the Pakistan Air Force Museum at PAF Faisal Air Base, Karachi
90-549 A3-49 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Believed to be in service as 90-549
90-553 A3-53 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
ROSE 1 upgrade
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Exercise Indus Viper 2008
Believed to be in service as 90-553.
90-554 A3-54 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Participant in Exercise Indus Viper II against Turkish F-16s 03/2013
Believed to be in service as 90-554
90-556 A3-56 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Current status unknown
N/A A3-57 Mirage IIIO Incomplete aircraft delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Fuselage hulk at Masroor Air Force Base
90-560 A3-60 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Entered PAF service retaining RAAF blue grey scheme
Received a pair of zero timed wings from South Africa (which meant camouflaged wings on a blue grey aircraft!)
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Believed to be in service as 90-560
90-562 A3-62 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Participant in Exercise Indus Viper II against Turkish F-16s 03/2013
Equipped with in-flight refuelling probe
Believed to be in service as 90-562
90-565 A3-65 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Participant in Falcon Air Meet 2010 at Azraq Royal Jordanian Air Base.
Believed to be in service as 90-565
90-568 A3-68 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Believed to be in service as 90-568
90-571 A3-71 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Believed in service as 90-571
90-573 A3-73 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Believed in service as 90-573
N/A A3-78 Mirage IIIO Incomplete aircraft delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Fuselage only, noted on jacks at PAF's Mirage Repair Factory 2001.
Current status unknown
90-581 A3-81 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Served with No.5 Squadron "Falcons"
Configured for Photo Reconnaissance.
Believed to be in service as 90-581
90-583 A3-83 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
First PAF Mirage to be fitted with refueling probe in 2009
Believed in service as 90-583
90-584 A3-84 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
Participant in Exercise Falcon Talon 02/2009
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Believed to be in service as 90-584
90-586 A3-86 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Participant in Exercise Bright Star (Egypt) 10/2009
Noted carrying Ra'ad Air Launched Cruise Missile 2016
Believed to be in service as 90-586
90-587 A3-87 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Served with No.5 Squadron "Falcons"
Configured for Photo Reconnaissance.
Believed to be in service as 90-587
90-588 A3-88 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Believed to be in service as 90-588
N/A A3-91 Mirage IIIO Incomplete aircraft delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Fuselage hulk at Masroor Air Force Base
90-593 A3-93 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Current status unknown.
90-596 A3-96 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Served with No.5 Squadron "Falcons"
Configured for Photo Reconnaissance.
Believed to be in service as 90-596
90-599 A3-99 Mirage IIIEA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Believed to be in service as 90-599
90-601
A3-101 Mirage IIIDA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90.
Noted in service as 90-601
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot
90-603
A3-103 Mirage IIIDA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot
90-604
A3-104 Mirage IIIDA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Noted in service as 90-604
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot
90-608
A3-108 Mirage IIIDA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Served with No.5 Squadron "Falcons"
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot
90-610
A3-110 Mirage IIIDA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Served with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot
Crashed 4/03/2015 near Dera Ismail Khan.
Lightning Strike given as possible cause of crash
Air Commodore Shafqat and Flight Lieutenant Sohaib killed
90-611
A3-111 Mirage IIIDA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Served with No.5 Squadron "Falcons"
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot
90-612
A3-112 Mirage IIIDA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Our photo shows it initially retained its orange ARDU scheme with PAF serial 612 applied
Repainted in camouflage
Served with No.5 Squadron "Falcons"
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot
90-613
A3-113 Mirage IIIDA Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot
Video of Pakistan Air Force Mirages in Jordon
The Author of this page is Martin Edwards
Sources:
www.defence.pk,
www.PakistaniForces.com,
www.fighterpilotuniversity.com www.militaryphotos.net/forums,
www.pafwallpapers.com,
www.paffalcons.com,
www.pac.org.pk ,
Emails; Henrik Gram Elsturp; Ansat Mangat
Updated 24th October 2018
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