The Mirage 2000-5 is the second generation of the Mirage 2000. The French Armée de l’
Air was replacing the older version of the Mirage 2000 and the manufacturer had hoped
to sell the newer version to them but they had already committed to the Rafale. The
manufacturer needed a sale to the ADA to help promote export sales so as a stopgap
measure until the Rafale was delivered the ADA upgraded 37 of their early Mirage 2000’s
to Dash 5 standards. The Dash 5 had new RDY radar, a new APSI (Advanced Pilot-
System Interface) cockpit, MICA missiles and the ICMS Mk. 2 (integrated
countermeasures system). The Dash 5 is the first production fighter aircraft ever to be
equipped with LCD displays. France, Greece, India, Qatar and Taiwan are equipped with
the Dash 5 version of the Mirage 2000.

In 1992 the manufacturer completed an agreement with Taiwan for the purchase of 48
Mirage 2000-5Ei single-seat and 12 Mirage 2000-Di two-seaters. The first 5 aircraft
arrived by sea in May 1997. This was a historic moment for the manufacturer because
the last French built aircraft that the RoCAF purchased was 24 Dewoitine D.150C piston
engine aircraft in 1937. The transaction was named “Fei Lung” (Flying Dragon). Along
with the aircraft the RoCAF purchased 960 MICA medium-range and 480 Magic II short-
range air-to-air missiles. Since the two-seater Mirages don’t have internal guns some
center-line twin gun pods with DEFA 554 cannons were acquired. Also on the shopping
list were support equipment, auxiliary fuel tanks, helmets and G-suits. The RoCAF also
ordered some ASTAC electronic intelligence (ELINT) pods for their Mirages.

The 499th Tactical Fighter Wing, also refer to as the 2nd TFW in some publications, is
stationed at Hsinchu Air Base and is the only wing in the ROCAF to have the Mirage
2000-5 aircraft. The 499th is comprised of three squadrons the 41st that received the first
aircraft, 42nd, and 48th and each squadron was allotted 20 Mirages. Late in 1999 the
RoCAF lost 2 Mirages in two separate training accidents. On November 26, 1998 the last
Mirages was delivered and November 1, 2004 the 41st and 42nd TFS were upgraded to
TFG.

Specifications Mirage 2000-5

Country of Origin – France

Contractor – Dassault Aviation

Role – Multi-role fighter

Crew Ei version – 1

Number of Dash 5 aircraft produced – 174

Dimensions
Length – 48.06ft   (14.65m)
Height – 17.06ft   (5.20m)
Wing Span – 29.95ft   (9.13m)
Wing Area – 441.32sq.ft   (41sq.m)

Weight
Empty – 16,535lb   (7,500kg)
Take Off – 23,942lb   (10,860kg)
Maximum Take Off – 37,479lb   (17,000kg)

Performance
Engine – 1 X SNECMA M53-P2 turbofan / Maximum thrust 21,400lb
Internal Fuel – 7,055lb   (3,200kg)
Speed – Mach 2.2 high altitude / Mach 1.2 low altitude
Operational ceiling – 60,000ft   (18,288m)

Armament
2 X 30mm DEFA 554 cannon / 125 rounds each
6 or 8 X MICA AR (Active Radar) or IR (Infra Red) missiles
2 X Magic II missiles on outboard wing pylons

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