It’s 2022, and the Greek Air Drive [Helenik Air Force or HAL] is setting its sights on extra environment friendly fashions, particularly the Mirage 2000-5. It had beforehand acquired 18 Mirage 2000 EGM/BMs in 1985, nevertheless, after just lately ordering twenty-four Rafale fighter-bombers from France – twelve of that are second-hand – these planes have been retired. However, these skies won’t stay empty of those plane for lengthy. In actual fact, they’re trying to fly in a completely different area altogether.
As per insights from the Greek each day, I Kathimeriní, there are plans afoot to promote these retired plane to India. The Indian Air Drive [IAF] has been on the hunt to buff up their Mirage 2000 fleet for the final 4 years. In 2021, they even expressed curiosity in securing 24 further models.
Now, very similar to Greece, India too is provided with Rafale models – 36 to be particular. However, they’re coping with a vital shortfall in combat-ready plane. They’re at the moment unable to fill the 42 fighter squadrons that their operational contract stipulates. So buying second-hand Mirage 2000s looks like a gorgeous answer. In any case, France’s planes have served them admirably previously, notably throughout the Kargil battle in 1999.
Recreation changer Mirage 2000
An Indian officer remarked on the twentieth anniversary of the Kargil warfare that “The Mirage 2000 was the sport changer…Its deployment by the IAF shifted the steadiness of army sources progressively in our favor”.
Nonetheless, the pursuit of used Mirage 2000s isn’t solely about rising numbers. It’s additionally about securing spare components to delay the operational lives of the 50 Mirage 2000 models at the moment in service inside the Indian Air Drive.
Greece and India cooperation
I Kathimeriní means that this potential sale of the Mirage 2000 EGM/BM models might bolster army cooperation between Greece and India. Regardless of the transaction probably amounting to “just a few million euros”, the Greek authorities sees extra political achieve than financial from this sale.
As well as, the HAL can be contemplating offloading its Mirage 2000-5s. Their availability noticed a leap of fifty% following a help contract, however they may ultimately attain retirement. The excessive price prompted the abandonment of the Hyperlink 16 integration challenge.
As a end result, these Mirage 2000-5s will likely be relegated to a supplementary function, primarily dealing with interception missions, very similar to the older F-16 Block 30s, in response to I Kathimeriní. This might make promoting them whereas they nonetheless have potential a savvy monetary transfer, because it might fund the procurement of six extra Rafales. Totaling 30 of those plane, the Greek air drive might outfit two full squadrons.
By all accounts, this plan appears to have fairly a few backers. Other than amplifying the capabilities of the HAL, it additionally simplifies upkeep operations. With this technique, the Tanagra base would solely be tasked with dealing with Rafales.
Mirage 2000 EGM/BM vs. Mirage 2000-5
The Mirage 2000 EGM/BM and Mirage 2000-5 are each variants of the Mirage 2000, a French multirole fighter jet. Nonetheless, they’ve a number of key variations. The Mirage 2000 EGM/BM, as an illustration, is a floor assault variant, whereas the Mirage 2000-5 is a multi-role fighter with an emphasis on air superiority.
The Mirage 2000 EGM/BM was designed particularly for floor assault missions. It’s outfitted with a wide range of air-to-ground weapons, together with laser-guided bombs and anti-tank missiles. This variant additionally has a secondary air-to-air functionality, however its major function is to strike floor targets.
Then again, the Mirage 2000-5 was designed as a multirole fighter with a deal with air superiority. It’s outfitted with superior avionics and a strong radar system, which permits it to detect and observe a number of air targets concurrently. The Mirage 2000-5 additionally has a secondary floor assault functionality, however its major function is air-to-air fight.
One other distinction lies of their avionics. The Mirage 2000-5 has a extra superior avionics suite, together with a glass cockpit and a multi-mode radar. This enables the pilot to change between air-to-air and air-to-ground modes shortly and simply, making the Mirage 2000-5 a extra versatile plane.
Lastly, the Mirage 2000-5 has a extra highly effective engine than the Mirage 2000 EGM/BM. This provides it a better prime velocity and higher maneuverability, that are essential in air-to-air fight. In distinction, the Mirage 2000 EGM/BM has a much less highly effective engine, however it’s nonetheless able to carrying a heavy payload for floor assault missions.
Dassault Rafale briefly
The Rafale is a twin-engine, canard delta wing, multi-role fighter plane designed and constructed by Dassault Aviation. It’s a extremely versatile plane, able to finishing up a variety of missions, together with air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, floor help, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike, and nuclear deterrence.
The Rafale is characterised by its omnivore capabilities. It’s outfitted with a variety of weapons, guaranteeing that it might carry out in air supremacy, interdiction, and reconnaissance roles. The plane can be distinct for its excessive survivability attributable to its semi-stealth design, which reduces its radar cross-section and infrared signature.
Vary and armament
The operational vary of the Rafale is spectacular. It has a ferry vary of greater than 3,700 km with three drop tanks, and it might fly at a excessive velocity of as much as Mach 1.8 [1,912 km/h, 1,200 mph]. The plane’s service ceiling is roughly 50,000 ft, and it has a price of climb of 60,000 ft per minute.
When it comes to armament, the Rafale is provided with a single 30 mm GIAT 30/M791 autocannon with 125 rounds. It has 14 hardpoints for carrying weapons and different mission tools. The plane can carry a mixture of air-to-air fight, air-to-ground precision, and anti-ship missiles, and it can also carry nuclear weapons.
Moreover, the Rafale is provided with a state-of-the-art avionics suite, together with an RBE2-AA radar system, which is an energetic electronically scanned array [AESA] radar. This supplies the plane with a considerably improved detection vary. The Rafale additionally options a complicated cockpit structure, with a wide-angle holographic show that gives the pilot with a complete overview of the plane’s standing and state of affairs.
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