- Yes
- No
The Mirage 2000EG was splited in 3 timelines in Greek service, one that was from 1988-1996 that it only caried Magic 2, 1996-1999 that it got Matra Super 530D missiles and after 1999 that became Mirage 2000EGM as it got Exocet. I chouse to cover the Mirage 2000EG from 1988-1996 with only Magic 2 as its a far more interesting unique variant.
The Mirage 2000 history
The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French single-engine, multirole fourth-generation fighter that originated in the mid-1970s after France cancelled the more ambitious and expensive twin-engine Avion de Combat Futur (ACF) program in December 1975. Dassault quickly offered a lighter, more affordable pure-delta design (initially called the Delta 2000) powered by a single SNECMA M53 turbofan and featuring fly-by-wire controls for greater agility. The French Air Force formalized requirements in 1976, and the first prototype made its maiden flight on 10 March 1978 at Istres, reaching supersonic speed on that initial sortie. Production Mirage 2000C interceptors first flew in November 1982, with deliveries beginning in 1983 and formal entry into French service in July 1984, replacing older Mirage III and F1 aircraft.
Around 601 aircraft were built between 1978 and 2007. The type evolved into multiple variants, including the nuclear-strike Mirage 2000N, the conventional-attack Mirage 2000D, and the advanced multirole Mirage 2000-5/-9 series for both French and export customers. It has seen combat with French forces in the Gulf War, Balkans, Afghanistan, and Syria, and remains in service with several air forces, notably India, the UAE, Taiwan (ROC), Greece and others.
The Mirage 2000 in Greece
The Dassault Mirage 2000 entered service with the Hellenic Air Force in 1988 under the “Talos” program. In the mid-1980s, Greece sought modern fighters to counter Turkish air activity in the Aegean. In 1985 it ordered 40 aircraft (36 single-seat Mirage 2000EG and 4 two-seat BG) from France, deliveries ran from 1988 into the early 1990s. These jets, based at Tanagra with 331 and 332 Squadrons, served mainly as interceptors and later gained an anti-ship role with the AM-39 Exocet and became the Mirage 2000EGM/BGM. The deal formed half of what became known in Greece as the “Buy of the century” (αγορά του αιώνα)—the simultaneous 1980s purchase of both Mirage 2000s and F-16C/Ds, a politically driven split of the order that was meant to balance suppliers and reduce dependence on a single source.
In 2000 Greece further modernised the fleet by ordering 15 new Mirage 2000-5 Mk2 aircraft and upgrading 10 existing airframes to the same standard, equipping them with advanced MICA missiles and SCALP-EG cruise missiles for longer-range strike. The original EGM/BGM variants were retired in early 2022 after more than 30 years and over 130,000 flight hours, replaced in their squadron by newly acquired Rafales. The remaining Mirage 2000-5s continue in service while Greece explores selling older airframes (and potentially some of the -5s) to streamline its mixed fleet and fund further modernisation.
Technical Specifications
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Specifications Length: 14.36 m Span: 9.13 m Height: 5.20 m Empty Weight: 7,500 kg Maximum Weight: 17,000 kg Maximal armament weight: 6,300 kg Power plant / Thrust: 1 × SNECMA M53-P2 afterburning turbofan / 64.3 kN dry, 95.1 kN with afterburner Maximum Speed: Mach 2.2 (approx. 2,336–2,350 km/h) at altitude Rate of Climb: 285 m/s (approx. 17,040–17,100 m/min) Ceiling: 17,060–18,500 m
Armament
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Guns:
2 × 30 mm DEFA 554Missiles:
Matra R.550 Magic 2 (up to 4)various dumb bombs and fuel tanks
Photos
Sources
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- HELLENIC DELTAS
- Greek Military Photos -- Greek Army
- https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/mirage/
- Όσα θέλετε να μάθετε για τον εκσυγχρονισμό (ή μη) των Mirage 2000EGM/BGM - ΠΤΗΣΗ
- Aviation World: Mirage 2000 Multi-Role Combat Fighter
- Mirage 2000: user countries, conditions and missions
- MIRAGE 2000 (DASSAULT-BREGUET)
- https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/mirage-2000-sales.htm
- Hellenic Air Force 114 Combat Wing - Greek Deltas - Tanagra AB, Greece - MILAVIA Military Aviation Specials
- Mirage 2000 - Μαχητικό αεροσκάφος
- ΠΤΗΣΗ 'Αρθρο Τεύχους
