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Capabilities of PAF Dassault MIRAGE-III/V.

Should Pakistan upgrade its Mirages to South African Cheetah standard if not Beyond?

  • Yes

    Votes: 181 59.0%
  • No

    Votes: 126 41.0%

  • Total voters
    307
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So what is stopping us from acquiring Swiss Mirages? I believe Swiss had around 60 fighters plus spares etc.
 
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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



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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


It is our policy to only show historical events, no current operational information will be displayed on this website.
"The ADF-Serials team give permission to use the content of this page, excluding images, providing that it contains an acknowledgement to the adf-serials team and any other listed sources."

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http://www.adf-serials.com.au/3a3-Pakistan.htm
 
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Does anyone know about the status of the IIIEP and IIIRP versions after the No.5 took on the F-16's ? Doesn't really make sense to keep the EP in service with the capabilities the ROSE I airframes have but what about the RP variants? Are they still needed for photo-recce ops and are they capable of carrying air-to-ground munitions in any capacity?
 
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For maintainance purpose.. Which countries have stored units of mirages which can be acquired by paf to complemeng, support or maintenance of current fleet.
I know that swiss have them but dont know the numbers ..
Does australia still stores the the few units that pakistan didn't opt for..
What about any other country. Any one knows the details???
 
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Does anyone know about the status of the IIIEP and IIIRP versions after the No.5 took on the F-16's ? Doesn't really make sense to keep the EP in service with the capabilities the ROSE I airframes have but what about the RP variants? Are they still needed for photo-recce ops and are they capable of carrying air-to-ground munitions in any capacity?

Ever since we got DB-110 Recon pods and Sniper ATP, I suppose mirages are not being used for photo recce ops. PAF chief disclosed in Alan warnes interview it take a day to extract data from Mirage photo recce pods and convert it into meaningful and actionable data. Which is not entirely acceptable in today's fast moving battlefield. DB-110 take high resolution pics and the data it gathers can be converted into actionable intelligence in real time as it is sending data to ground station via datalink in real time

DB110RAPTOR.jpg



Goodrich Corporation has been awarded a US$72 million contract to equip Lockheed-Martin F-16 fighters of the Pakistan Air Force with five DB-110 dual-band (visual/IR) reconnaissance pods. The systems will be delivered with two fixed ground stations and one mobile ground station, each equipped with one datalink receiving system (a total of four ground receiving datalinks will be delivered).

The Pakistan Air Force plans to augment the new capability by establishing a ‘reconnaissance fusion center’, the current contract funds the initial study of such facility to be provided by Goodrich. The U.S. Air Force is assigning a private U.S. company to train Pakistani operators and technicians in supporting the new systems.



The Goodrich DB-110 EO/IR reconnaissance pod operating on Poland Air Force F-16 aircraft. Photo: Goodric
The Pakistani air force is already operating two similar recce pods, which will now be modified with suitable datalinks to match the new ground stations. According to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency ex-U.S. Air Force F-16A/B fighters transferred to the Pakistani Air Force in 2008 were prepared to operate reconnaissance pods. No such capability was mentioned for the new F-16 Block 52 aircraft although it is likely that the pods will also be employed by these fighters.


The Goodrich DB-110 recce pod is operational with the Polish and Hellenic NATO Air Forces. Recent sales were approved for the UAE, Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan and Oman.
The DB-110 operates autonomously on the F-16, controlled by the pod’s reconnaissance management system. Imagery can be viewed on the F-16’s cockpit video display, enabling the pilot to verify targets and conduct tasks such as battle damage assessment. The real-time display also gives the pilot or aircrew more flexibility selecting alternate route to a selected target or seeking out targets of opportunity.

https://defense-update.com/20110121_db-110_pakistan.html
 
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Does anyone know about the status of the IIIEP and IIIRP versions after the No.5 took on the F-16's ? Doesn't really make sense to keep the EP in service with the capabilities the ROSE I airframes have but what about the RP variants? Are they still needed for photo-recce ops and are they capable of carrying air-to-ground munitions in any capacity?
Status of Mirage IIIEP is that of the original 18, only 1 or 2 left in service. Rest crashed or taken out of service. Similarly, of the original 13 RPs, 6 might still be operational in other squadrons while 7 have crashed over the years. RPs can be used in ground attack role just like any other Mirage 5
 
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https://sputniknews.com/military/20...ter-jets-from-egypt-amid-build-up-with-india/

1076718221.jpg

Pakistan to Buy 36 Mirage V Fighter Jets from Egypt Amid Build-Up With India

New Delhi (Sputnik): The Mirage V in question possesses a helmet-mounted display, mission pods, and night strike capability. Sources said Pakistan would upgrade these jets before putting a few of them into operation.

Pakistan's Air Force is expected to seal a contract with Egypt to purchase upgraded Dassault Mirage-V combat aircraft. The two countries have been negotiating the contract for years and now the final contract may see the light of day because the Pakistan Air Force wanted these fighter jets to strengthen its existing squadron of jets.

"Negotiations to purchase 36 such aircraft almost reached the final stage", one of the person familiar with the negotiations said. These jets were retired from service by the Egyptian Air Force long ago, so Pakistan will have tp refurbish them before pressing the aircraft into service.

The Mirage V in question possesses a helmet-mounted display, mission pods, and night strike capability. Sources said Pakistan would upgrade these jets before putting a few of them into operation, like in the past when it has upgraded dozens of Mirage-III/Vs with Italian radars and other electronics at the Mirage Rebuild Factory, established by the Pakistani Air Force in 1978.

Pakistan's Air Force has been operating Mirage combat jets for the last five decades and despite the induction of the JF-17, the force planned to put on hold the retirement of the Mirage in the absence of better weaponry. Over the past five decades, Pakistan has purchased nearly 150 Mirage III/V fighters. The force had in the past also bought retired Mirage-III from Australia.

The Mirage V is a dedicated ground-attack variant of the Mirage III, with greater space for fuel, in place of avionics. The Dassault-made Mirage jet received major attention earlier in February when the Indian Air Force carried out an aerial strike using the Mirage 2000 fighter jet to destroy alleged terror infrastructure in Balakot inside Pakistan. Nevertheless, the only common feature of the Mirage V and the Indian Air Force's Mirage 2000 is their "delta wing" design.

The relationship between the two nuclear-armed countries once again nosedived in August after New Delhi decided to revoke the special status granted to the disputed Kashmir region. While India called the decision an "internal affair", Pakistan has argued at several international fora including at United Nations that it is a violation of bilateral agreements and the Vienna Convention.

Pakistan's military has vowed to go to "any extent" to provide justice to the Kashmiripeople and it has deployed hundreds of elite commandos near the Line of Control - a de facto border that separates the Kashmir region between the two countries. The Pakistani Air Force also deployed its frontline jets at the forward air base Skardu near Ladakh last month to ward off any Balakot-like strike by India.
 
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https://sputniknews.com/military/20...ter-jets-from-egypt-amid-build-up-with-india/

1076718221.jpg

Pakistan to Buy 36 Mirage V Fighter Jets from Egypt Amid Build-Up With India

New Delhi (Sputnik): The Mirage V in question possesses a helmet-mounted display, mission pods, and night strike capability. Sources said Pakistan would upgrade these jets before putting a few of them into operation.

Pakistan's Air Force is expected to seal a contract with Egypt to purchase upgraded Dassault Mirage-V combat aircraft. The two countries have been negotiating the contract for years and now the final contract may see the light of day because the Pakistan Air Force wanted these fighter jets to strengthen its existing squadron of jets.

"Negotiations to purchase 36 such aircraft almost reached the final stage", one of the person familiar with the negotiations said. These jets were retired from service by the Egyptian Air Force long ago, so Pakistan will have tp refurbish them before pressing the aircraft into service.

The Mirage V in question possesses a helmet-mounted display, mission pods, and night strike capability. Sources said Pakistan would upgrade these jets before putting a few of them into operation, like in the past when it has upgraded dozens of Mirage-III/Vs with Italian radars and other electronics at the Mirage Rebuild Factory, established by the Pakistani Air Force in 1978.

Pakistan's Air Force has been operating Mirage combat jets for the last five decades and despite the induction of the JF-17, the force planned to put on hold the retirement of the Mirage in the absence of better weaponry. Over the past five decades, Pakistan has purchased nearly 150 Mirage III/V fighters. The force had in the past also bought retired Mirage-III from Australia.

The Mirage V is a dedicated ground-attack variant of the Mirage III, with greater space for fuel, in place of avionics. The Dassault-made Mirage jet received major attention earlier in February when the Indian Air Force carried out an aerial strike using the Mirage 2000 fighter jet to destroy alleged terror infrastructure in Balakot inside Pakistan. Nevertheless, the only common feature of the Mirage V and the Indian Air Force's Mirage 2000 is their "delta wing" design.

The relationship between the two nuclear-armed countries once again nosedived in August after New Delhi decided to revoke the special status granted to the disputed Kashmir region. While India called the decision an "internal affair", Pakistan has argued at several international fora including at United Nations that it is a violation of bilateral agreements and the Vienna Convention.

Pakistan's military has vowed to go to "any extent" to provide justice to the Kashmiripeople and it has deployed hundreds of elite commandos near the Line of Control - a de facto border that separates the Kashmir region between the two countries. The Pakistani Air Force also deployed its frontline jets at the forward air base Skardu near Ladakh last month to ward off any Balakot-like strike by India.

Let us see what mods will take place on the EA M5's. Definitely the nose cones must go for GrifoM radar.
 
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