Hello everyone,
I wish to open a debate on the current state of the Mirage 4000. In my opinion, it is largely outdated at its current Battle Rating of 13.0.
The observation is simple: the Mirage 4000 is a prototype that lacks the necessary weapon systems to compete at the top tier. It is ironic to note that the Mirage 4000 has a higher BR than the Mirage 2000C (S4 or S5), even though it never passed the prototype stage and was never mass-produced. Gaijin decided to add it with a historically “logical” radar/armament configuration for the prototype, but this configuration is absolutely no longer competitive at 13.0.
Critical systems obsolete for Top Tier
The M4000’s radar and missile suite is globally obsolete against the constant threats it encounters at 13.0. It faces aircraft equipped with Fox-3s (R-77, AIM-120, PL-12) or the best Fox-1s (R-27ER, AIM-7M) daily. The RDM Radar + Super 530D pairing cannot compete effectively:
The current RDM radar is up to 12.0 standards, not 13.0.
The 530D requires a constant radar lock (SARH guidance) and its Pulse Doppler mode is mainly “HDN” (Head-on/front sector). This forces the M4000 to expose itself frontally to guide its missile, turning it into an easy target for any Fox-3 opponent who can fire and maneuver immediately (fire and forget), or even against standard DP radars like those of the Su-27, MiG-29, Su-30, F-15, F-18, F-16, etc.
Difficult advantages to exploit
Its only real assets are its significant number of countermeasures and its Magic 2s. However, using the Magic 2s is becoming extremely complicated in the current meta: given the proliferation of aircraft like the Su-30 (especially the premiums), managing to get within IR firing range without being shot down first is quite a feat (I’m exaggerating a little, but it’s becoming complicated to play solely with Magic 2s in the current meta).
Conclusion and proposals
Currently, the Mirage 4000 is systematically in a situation of technological inferiority. Two solutions are conceivable in my opinion:
The logical solution (Downtier): The Mirage 4000 must go down in BR (12.7, or even 12.3). In its current configuration, it is simply not cut out for 13.0.
The “What If” alternative (Upgrade): If Gaijin wishes to keep it at top tier, they must show some “kindness” and improve the aircraft. Since the aircraft is already in the game with a configuration that is “technically possible but not real,” why not take the logic to its conclusion? Give it a modern radar (RDY or RDI) and MICA missiles, as the manufacturer planned to give it if the aircraft had been developed. Even without a helmet-mounted sight (HMD), such a “hypothetical evolved” version would justify a solid 13.3 or 13.7 BR.
