The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is exploring options for its retired Mirage 2000 fleet, with India emerging as a potential buyer for the 18 Mirage 2000 EGM/BGM jets grounded in 2022. This move comes amidst broader questions about the future of the Mirage 2000-5 fleet and the HAF’s evolving fighter force composition.
Jerry Gunner from Lincoln, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Eighteen Mirage 2000 EGM/BGM jets, previously operated by the 332nd Squadron face an uncertain future after their 2022 grounding due to lack of support. Reports suggest the HAF is exploring a potential sale to India, a user of the same platform, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties rather than maximizing financial gain. The jets’ condition necessitates a modest price tag, with sources predicting a few million euros at best.
India operates around 50 Mirage 2000s across three combat squadrons and expressed interest in acquiring second-hand versions to extend their service life. This aligns with the HAF’s desire to forge closer defense ties with India, possibly paving the way for a mutually beneficial deal.
While the newer Mirage 2000-5s in the 331st Squadron “Theseus” boast increased availability thanks to a recent support contract, their long-term viability presents a complex challenge. Their age and limitations in network-centric operations compared to the F-16Vs and Rafales raise questions about their future role.
The HAF considered equipping the Mirage 2000-5s with Link-16 terminals to facilitate communication with newer jets, but the project’s high cost and uncertain effectiveness led to its abandonment. This relegates the Mirage 2000-5s to potentially taking on interception duties alongside older F-16 Block 30s.
A proposal gaining traction within the HAF suggests selling the 24 operational Mirage 2000-5s to finance the acquisition of additional Rafales. This would shrink the fleet numerically but enhance its qualitative capabilities with modern multi-role fighters. The proposal envisions two Rafale squadrons of 15 jets each, potentially replacing F-16C/Ds in the long run.
Despite the Rafale proposition, the HAF emphasizes no immediate decisions have been made. All options, including retaining the Mirage 2000-5s, remain on the table. However, the potential benefits of a fleet rationalization with standardized Rafales cannot be ignored, offering financial efficiency and operational optimization.
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