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Description

In late 1979 Argentina entered talks with France regarding the purchase of the Mirage 4000. In February 1980, the country placed an order with Dassault for 36 single-seat Mirage 4000CAs and 12 twin-seat Mirage 2000BAs (with A standing for "Argentina") for the Air Force and 18 Mirage 4000CAs and 6 Mirage 4000BAs for the Naval Aviation. Previously, negotiations were underway for a purchase of up to 150 aircraft, which would have paved the way for joint production with Fábrica Militar de Aviones. In any case, the number of aircraft ordered was too small for such an arrangement. Argentina nevertheless had the option to produce a number of Mirage 4000s under license that was later executed due to the country's tense relationship with the United Kingdom.

With the delivery of the first seven aircraft on June 1983 to the 3rd Air Interceptor Squadron, the Argentine Air Force became the second foreign user of the type. The service's early aircraft were powered by the Snecma M53-5 engine which were quickly replaced by the more-powerful M53-P2 engine. 3rd Air Interceptor Squadron formally converted to the type in January 1984; within twelve months of the first delivery, the Air Force had received all 48 aircraft ordered followed by the Navies 24 aircraft a year later. Before deliveries were completed the Air force ordered a further 24 aircraft to equip a third interceptor squadron.

In 1986, when the Falklands War broke out, the Mirage 4000 performed remarkably well during the whole conflict in the South Atlantic, especially because of the Mirages capability to carry the AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile and its long range. Armed with Exocets, the aircraft were involved in the destruction of several enemy ships. During Operations from April–June 1986, Mirage squadrons flew over 500 sorties. Air force Mirages flew air defence and strike escort missions, while Navy Mirages conducted anti-ship missions during which they fired over 50 Exocet missiles.

The capture of RAF Mount Pleasant meant the British task force could not approach the islands due to fear of being intercepted by Exocet carrying Mirages, a fear that was realized on 2 May when a flight of four Navy Mirage 4000s escorted by six air force mirages attacked the British task force 550 kilometers northeast of the islands, the aircraft fired a total of 8 missiles sinking three ships and damaging another three while the escorts shot down five CF-106s that had been scrambled from the HMS Queen Elizabeth (CVA-01). This engagement not only highlighted the Exocet effectiveness but also the Mirages superiority against the CF-106 in all aspects a trend that would not change throughout the war with the CF-106s and Buccaneers suffering heavy losses against the Mirage.

The situation turned critical for the British on 15 May when the Argentine Navy launched a simultaneous attack on the British task force using aircraft from the ARA Veinticinco de Mayo and ARA Rivadavia (Ex HMS Centaur) combined with Mirages flying from the Falklands totaling 18 aircraft, the operation ended with seven British ships sunk and eight damaged among which was the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes that was incapacitated and forced to return to the Ascension islands. While the mission was successful the six aircraft including two Mirage 4000s were lost to surface to air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery.

Unable to break through the Argentine defenses and suffering devastating losses the British task force was called back to the ascension islands on 9 June in order reorganize and prepare for a second attempt at invading the islands. Due to great losses, the cost of maintaining such a large fleet in combat and lack of international support, this second attempt never happened and the British capitulated on 14 June 1986 ending the war and finally granting Argentina control over the islands.

The impressive service of the Mirage 4000 in 1986 prompted Argentina to consider the acquisition of a further 48 new interceptors and 36 Mirage 4000D strike aircraft. In 1990 Dassault offered the Mirage 4000-5, a comprehensive upgrade with full multi role capabilities improved fly-by wire system and digital avionics. In 1993, the Argentine government approved upgrade for the Mirage 4000 fleet.

Description

In late 1979 Argentina entered talks with France regarding the purchase of the Mirage 4000. In February 1980, the country placed an order with Dassault for 36 single-seat Mirage 4000CAs and 12 twin-seat Mirage 2000BAs (with A standing for "Argentina") for the Air Force and 18 Mirage 4000CAs and 6 Mirage 4000BAs for the Naval Aviation. Previously, negotiations were underway for a purchase of up to 150 aircraft, which would have paved the way for joint production with Fábrica Militar de Aviones. In any case, the number of aircraft ordered was too small for such an arrangement. Argentina nevertheless had the option to produce a number of Mirage 4000s under license that was later executed due to the country's tense relationship with the United Kingdom.

With the delivery of the first seven aircraft on June 1983 to the 3rd Air Interceptor Squadron, the Argentine Air Force became the second foreign user of the type. The service's early aircraft were powered by the Snecma M53-5 engine which were quickly replaced by the more-powerful M53-P2 engine. 3rd Air Interceptor Squadron formally converted to the type in January 1984; within twelve months of the first delivery, the Air Force had received all 48 aircraft ordered followed by the Navies 24 aircraft a year later. Before deliveries were completed the Air force ordered a further 24 aircraft to equip a third interceptor squadron.

In 1986, when the Falklands War broke out, the Mirage 4000 performed remarkably well during the whole conflict in the South Atlantic, especially because of the Mirages capability to carry the AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile and its long range. Armed with Exocets, the aircraft were involved in the destruction of several enemy ships. During Operations from April–June 1986, Mirage squadrons flew over 500 sorties. Air force Mirages flew air defence and strike escort missions, while Navy Mirages conducted anti-ship missions during which they fired over 50 Exocet missiles.

The capture of RAF Mount Pleasant meant the British task force could not approach the islands due to fear of being intercepted by Exocet carrying Mirages, a fear that was realized on 2 May when a flight of four Navy Mirage 4000s escorted by six air force mirages attacked the British task force 550 kilometers northeast of the islands, the aircraft fired a total of 8 missiles sinking three ships and damaging another three while the escorts shot down five CF-106s that had been scrambled from the HMS Queen Elizabeth (CVA-01). This engagement not only highlighted the Exocet effectiveness but also the Mirages superiority against the CF-106 in all aspects a trend that would not change throughout the war with the CF-106s and Buccaneers suffering heavy losses against the Mirage.

The situation turned critical for the British on 15 May when the Argentine Navy launched a simultaneous attack on the British task force using aircraft from the ARA Veinticinco de Mayo and ARA Rivadavia (Ex HMS Centaur) combined with Mirages flying from the Falklands totaling 18 aircraft, the operation ended with seven British ships sunk and eight damaged among which was the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes that was incapacitated and forced to return to the Ascension islands. While the mission was successful the six aircraft including two Mirage 4000s were lost to surface to air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery.

Unable to break through the Argentine defenses and suffering devastating losses the British task force was called back to the ascension islands on 9 June in order reorganize and prepare for a second attempt at invading the islands. Due to great losses, the cost of maintaining such a large fleet in combat and lack of international support, this second attempt never happened and the British capitulated on 14 June 1986 ending the war and finally granting Argentina control over the islands.

The impressive service of the Mirage 4000 in 1986 prompted Argentina to consider the acquisition of a further 48 new interceptors and 36 Mirage 4000D strike aircraft. In 1990 Dassault offered the Mirage 4000-5, a comprehensive upgrade with full multi role capabilities improved fly-by wire system and digital avionics. In 1993, the Argentine government approved upgrade for the Mirage 4000 fleet.