The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced that it will be sending five of its Mirage 2000 fighter jets to participate in the United Kingdom's Cobra Warrior exercise 2023, which is scheduled to take place at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire from March 27 to April 7. This will be the second time that the IAF will join this bi-annual exercise, which is designed to test pilots in high-intensity fighting operations and enhance interoperability among allied air forces.
The Mirage 2000 is a French-made multi-role fighter aircraft that was first flown in 1978 and has been exported to various countries, including Brazil, Egypt, Greece, Peru, Qatar, and India. The IAF acquired its first batch of 36 single-seater and four twin-seater Mirage 2000s in 1985 and named them Vajra, meaning lightning thunderbolt in Sanskrit. The aircraft proved its mettle during the Kargil War of 1999, when it carried out precision strikes on enemy positions at high altitudes. In 2011, India signed a contract with Dassault Aviation and Thales to upgrade its existing fleet of Mirage 2000s to Mirage 2000-5 Mk standards, which enhanced their avionics, weapons systems, radar capabilities, and engine performance.
The upgraded Mirage 2000 can fly at a maximum speed of Mach 2.2 (2,336 km/h) and has a combat range of 1,550 km. It can carry up to nine tons of weapons on seven hardpoints under its wings and fuselage. The aircraft is armed with two internal DEFA cannons and can fire various types of air-to-air missiles such as MICA IR/EM or R-73E for close combat and MICA RF or Super-530D for beyond visual range engagements. It can also launch air-to-ground missiles such as AS-30L laser-guided or SCALP cruise missiles for precision strikes on ground targets.
The IAF's participation in Cobra Warrior exercise will provide an opportunity for its pilots to hone their skills and learn from their counterparts from other air forces such as Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), German Air Force (Luftwaffe), Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare), Israeli Air Force (IAF), Polish Air Force (Siły Powietrzne), Turkish Air Force (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri), US Air Force (USAF), US Navy (USN) and US Marine Corps (USMC). The exercise will also foster mutual understanding and cooperation among the participating nations and demonstrate their commitment to regional security and stability.The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced that it will be sending five of its Mirage 2000 fighter jets to participate in the United Kingdom's Cobra Warrior exercise 2023, which is scheduled to take place at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire from March 27 to April 7. This will be the second time that the IAF will join this bi-annual exercise, which is designed to test pilots in high-intensity fighting operations and enhance interoperability among allied air forces.
The Mirage 2000 is a French-made multi-role fighter aircraft that was first flown in 1978 and has been exported to various countries, including Brazil, Egypt, Greece, Peru, Qatar, and India. The IAF acquired its first batch of 36 single-seater and four twin-seater Mirage 2000s in 1985 and named them Vajra, meaning lightning thunderbolt in Sanskrit. The aircraft proved its mettle during the Kargil War of 1999, when it carried out precision strikes on enemy positions at high altitudes. In 2011, India signed a contract with Dassault Aviation and Thales to upgrade its existing fleet of Mirage 2000s to Mirage 2000-5 Mk standards, which enhanced their avionics, weapons systems, radar capabilities, and engine performance.
The upgraded Mirage 2000 can fly at a maximum speed of Mach 2.2 (2,336 km/h) and has a combat range of 1,550 km. It can carry up to nine tons of weapons on seven hardpoints under its wings and fuselage. The aircraft is armed with two internal DEFA cannons and can fire various types of air-to-air missiles such as MICA IR/EM or R-73E for close combat and MICA RF or Super-530D for beyond visual range engagements. It can also launch air-to-ground missiles such as AS-30L laser-guided or SCALP cruise missiles for precision strikes on ground targets.
The IAF's participation in Cobra Warrior exercise will provide an opportunity for its pilots to hone their skills and learn from their counterparts from other air forces such as Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), German Air Force (Luftwaffe), Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare), Israeli Air Force (IAF), Polish Air Force (Siły Powietrzne), Turkish Air Force (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri), US Air Force (USAF), US Navy (USN) and US Marine Corps (USMC). The exercise will also foster mutual understanding and cooperation among the participating nations and demonstrate their commitment to regional security and stability.