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Capabilities of PAF Dassault MIRAGE-III/V.

Should Pakistan upgrade its Mirages to South African Cheetah standard if not Beyond?

  • Yes

    Votes: 181 59.0%
  • No

    Votes: 126 41.0%

  • Total voters
    307
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Last edited:
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Link Ex-RAAF Mirages in Pakistan Air Force Service


After their retirement from service in 1987/88 forty eight RAAF Mirages were flown to Woomera for storage. They were offered for sale for A$100 million. On 15th April 1990 a contract was signed with Pakistan for fifty aircraft including ground equipment, engines, drop tanks and spares. (Pakistan Air Force project Blue Flash-V) The figure reported here was A$36 million however a number of Pakistani sources state the figure was A$27 million with the payment spread over seven years at approx. A$3.5 million per year. The ground equipment and spares package has been described as "a virtual gift".
It should be mentioned that India was not at all happy with this deal and protested accordingly.

During October 1990 the Mirages were transported by road from Woomera to Whyalla. Two complete aircraft at RAAF Museum Point Cook (A3-13 and A3-84) were also transported as well as five incomplete examples from Darwin, Orchard Hills and Dubbo. In November 1990 they were shipped by sea from Whyalla to Karachi. From Karachi harbour they were transported on trailers to PAF Base Masroor. After some dismantling they were flown by C-130 Hercules to the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra. There at the Mirage Rebuild Factory it was discovered that these ex-RAAF Mirages were in far better condition than expected and some did not require a complete overhaul. A new 2P+ inspection was developed for the initial recovery of thirty three aircraft. Another twelve aircraft had the General Overhaul and were eventually bought into service, some fitted with zero timed wings sourced from South Africa.
Of the fifty complete ex-RAAF Mirages acquired forty five eventually entered PAF service (details below). The remaining five were used for spares.

Thirty two single seat aircraft were later upgraded to ROSE 1 (Retrofit of Strike Element) the last one completed in June 1998. This avionics upgrade included Sagem integrated navigation/attack system, multifunction display, HOTAS, HUD, and self protection systems (RWR, chaff and flares).
Further upgrades include Grifo-M radar and AIM-9L AAMs.
(Sources differ as to if 32 or 33 received the ROSE 1 upgrade. I believe that only 32 received the upgrade because one aircraft crashed before it could be upgraded).
The ROSE 1 Mirages (redesignated in PAF service as Mirage IIIEA) were allocated to No.7 Squadron (Bandits) at Masroor in 1996 and to the Combat Commanders School (CCS) at Mushaf in 2003

Seven dual seat aircraft (redesignated in PAF service as Mirage IIIDA) were allocated to No.22 Squadron OCU and No.5 Squadron (Falcons).
In June 2010 No.5 Squadron re-equipped with F-16s, (new build aircraft, not the aircraft that New Zealand was to buy which also went to Pakistan).
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot.

The PAF also acquired the RAAF Mirage Photo Reconnaissance equipment and four aircraft configured in this role served with No.5 Squadron (Falcons)

In 2004 and 2007 Pakistan acquired 50 Mirages and 150 sealed engines from Libya.
These aircraft were to be converted to components to extend the life of the PAF Mirage fleet including the ex-RAAF examples.
However as with the ex-RAAF many Libyan Mirages are flying again.

In 2009 the Mirage IIIEAs started to be equipped with an in-flight refuelling probe, 90-583 serving as the prototype. PAF acquired four Ilyushin Il-78P Midas tanker aircraft from Ukraine and plan to equip 30 Mirages for in-flight refuelling .
In 2016 the upgraded Mirage IIIEAs began flying with Ra'ad Air Launched Cruise Missiles which are believed to be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead
There have been many losses of PAF Mirages. The list isn't all that specific about which model was involved. Only two are confirmed as ex-RAAF with only one identified. There are probably others lost. (Indeed 90-610 ex-A3-110 was lost in March 2015 and has not yet been included on the list)
With the Pakistan being the world's largest current user of Mirages (200+ aircraft purchased from France, Australia, Lebanon, Spain and Libya), holding an extensive spare parts inventory and operating a dedicated Mirage Rebuild Factory the ex RAAF Dassault and GAF built Mirages look like they will still be flying well past their 50th birthdays. A PAF official said that a Mirage needs to undergo overhaul after every ten to twelve years or after every 1800 to 2400 flight hours. A Mirage is completely overhauled in about one year.
They are expected to remain in PAF service until replaced by the JF-17 Thunder in 5 to 10 years time
SUMMARY
50 complete aircraft exported by sea, (48 from Whyalla, South Australia and 2 from Geelong, Victoria)
40 single seat Mirage IIIO stored at Woomera
A3-2, -5, -6, -9, -10, -11, -12, -15, -17, -19, -21, -22, -23, -24, -25, -27, -31, -33, -34, -35,
-38, -39, -49, -53, -54, -56, -60, -62, -65, -68, -71, -73, -81, -83, -86, -87, -88, -93, -96, -99
8 dual seat Mirage IIID stored at Woomera
A3-101, -103, -104, -108, -110, -111, -112, -113. 7 into service, 1 used for spares.
Plus 2 complete single seat Mirage IIIO taken from RAAF Museum Point Cook A3-13, -84 where moved by road and then shipped by sea from Geelong, Victoria.

32 eventually upgraded to ROSE 1 standard, 1 crashed prior to ROSE 1 upgrade. 4 Photo Recon. conversions, 5 used for spares.
Also 5 incomplete aircraft/fuselages; A3-7 (Darwin), -48, -78 (Dubbo), -57, -91 (Orchard Hills)
Pakistan Air Force serials.
Single seat; 90-5xx, were xx is the last two digits of the RAAF serial.
(I have been informed some may have had 89-5xx but have seen no evidence of that myself)

Dual seat; 90-6xx were xx was the last two digits of the RAAF serial
(Not to be confused with the six dual seat Mirages with 8xx serials. These are ex-French Air Force IIIBEs. Their full PAF serial is 96-8xx were the xx is the last two digits of the construction number ie 96-860 is c/n 260, 96-875 is c/n 275 and so on.)
As can be appreciated PAF information is scarce and the following list is derived from publicly available information.
Any further information, corrections and comments are welcome.
Please contact us at question@adf-serials.com.au
Pakistan
Serial
RAAF Serial
Aircraft Type
Aircraft History
90-502​
A3-2​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Our photo shows it initially retained its orange ARDU scheme with PAF serials applied
Repainted in camoflague​
90-503​
?​
Mirage III​
There is an unidentified Mirage III marked 503 as gate guard at Masroor Air Force Base
It cannot be A3-3 which remains at Fighter World Williamtown.​
90-505​
A3-5​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Current status unknown​
90-506​
A3-6​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
16/12/2009 was on a routine training mission when it crashed into Durrab Lake, Kalar Kahar in Chakwal district (Punjab Province) after developing a technical fault.
The pilot ejected safely and was rescued from the lake.​
N/A​
A3-7​
Mirage IIIO​
Incomplete aircraft delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Current status unknown.​
90-509​
A3-9​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
26/07/2001 crashed into mountain at 4000ft near Hub River returning to base after a night training exercise.
Group Captain Ali Assad killed.​
90-510​
A3-10​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Noted in service with Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Equipped with in-flight refueling probe.
Believed to be in in service as 90-510.​
90-511​
A3-11​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Noted with Recce nose painted Green/Grey on at MRF Kamra 2001.
Served with No.5 Squadron "Falcons"
Configured for Photo Reconnaissance. Uses a different type of Recon nose than that used by the RAAF
Believed to be in service as 90-511​
90-512​
A3-12​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Participant in Exercise Bright Star (Egypt) 10/2009
Participant in Exercise Indus Viper II against Turkish F-16s 03/2013
Believed to be in service as 90-512​
90-513​
A3-13​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Entered PAF service retaining RAAF camouflage scheme
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Believed to be in in service as 90-513,​
90-515​
A3-15​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Believed to be in in service as 90-515​
90-517​
A3-17​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Current status unknown​
90-519​
A3-19​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Believed to be in in service as 90-519.​
90-521​
A3-21​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Current status unknown​
90-522​
A3-22​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Entered PAF service in camouflage scheme
ROSE 1 upgrade
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Believed to be in in service as 90-522.​
90-523​
A3-23​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
7/04/2004 noted damaged at Masroor AB, Pakistan, stored and used for spares.
90-524​
A3-24​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Believed to be in in service as 90-524.​
90-525​
A3-25​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Equipped with in-flight refueling probe
Believed to be in service as 90-525​
90-527​
A3-27​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Participant in Exercise Indus Viper II against Turkish F-16s 03/2013
Believed to be in service as 90-527
90-531​
A3-31​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Participant in Falcon Air Meet 2010 at Azraq Royal Jordanian Air Base.
Won bombing competition against aircraft from Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and the U.S. Navy and Air Force.
Believed to be in service as 90-531​
90-533​
A3-33​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Initially retained the silver with red scallop RAAF 75 Squadron Mirage Retirement scheme
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Equipped with in-flight refuelling probe.
Believed to be in service as 90-533
90-534​
A3-34​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Current status unknown​
90-535​
A3-35​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Participant in Exercise Bright Star (Egypt) 10/2009
Believed to be in service as 90-535
90-538​
A3-38​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Participant in Exercise Bright Star (Egypt) 10/2009
Participant in Falcon Air Meet 2010 at Azraq Royal Jordanian Air Base.
Noted carrying Ra'ad Air Launched Cruise Missile 2016
Believed to be in service as 90-538​
90-539​
A3-39​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Current status unknown​
N/A​
A3-48​
Mirage IIIO​
Incomplete aircraft delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Fuselage noted in the storage yard of the Pakistan Air Force Museum at PAF Faisal Air Base, Karachi​
90-549​
A3-49​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Believed to be in service as 90-549​
90-553​
A3-53​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
ROSE 1 upgrade
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Exercise Indus Viper 2008
Believed to be in service as 90-553.​
90-554​
A3-54​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Participant in Exercise Indus Viper II against Turkish F-16s 03/2013
Believed to be in service as 90-554​
90-556​
A3-56​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Current status unknown​
N/A​
A3-57​
Mirage IIIO​
Incomplete aircraft delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Fuselage hulk at Masroor Air Force Base​
90-560​
A3-60​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Entered PAF service retaining RAAF blue grey scheme
Received a pair of zero timed wings from South Africa (which meant camouflaged wings on a blue grey aircraft!)
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Believed to be in service as 90-560​
90-562​
A3-62​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Participant in Exercise Indus Viper II against Turkish F-16s 03/2013
Equipped with in-flight refuelling probe
Believed to be in service as 90-562​
90-565​
A3-65​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Participant in Falcon Air Meet 2010 at Azraq Royal Jordanian Air Base.
Believed to be in service as 90-565​
90-568​
A3-68​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Believed to be in service as 90-568​
90-571​
A3-71​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Believed in service as 90-571​
90-573​
A3-73​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Believed in service as 90-573​
N/A​
A3-78​
Mirage IIIO​
Incomplete aircraft delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Fuselage only, noted on jacks at PAF's Mirage Repair Factory 2001.
Current status unknown​
90-581​
A3-81​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Served with No.5 Squadron "Falcons"
Configured for Photo Reconnaissance.
Believed to be in service as 90-581​
90-583​
A3-83​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
First PAF Mirage to be fitted with refueling probe in 2009
Believed in service as 90-583​
90-584​
A3-84​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
Participant in Exercise Falcon Talon 02/2009
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Believed to be in service as 90-584​
90-586​
A3-86​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Participant in Exercise Bright Star (Egypt) 10/2009
Noted carrying Ra'ad Air Launched Cruise Missile 2016
Believed to be in service as 90-586​
90-587​
A3-87​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Served with No.5 Squadron "Falcons"
Configured for Photo Reconnaissance.
Believed to be in service as 90-587​
90-588​
A3-88​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
ROSE 1 upgrade
No.7 Squadron "Bandits"
Believed to be in service as 90-588​
N/A​
A3-91​
Mirage IIIO​
Incomplete aircraft delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Fuselage hulk at Masroor Air Force Base​
90-593​
A3-93​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Current status unknown.​
90-596​
A3-96​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Served with No.5 Squadron "Falcons"
Configured for Photo Reconnaissance.
Believed to be in service as 90-596​
90-599​
A3-99​
Mirage IIIEA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Combat Commanders School (CCS)
Believed to be in service as 90-599
90-601​
A3-101​
Mirage IIIDA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90.
Noted in service as 90-601
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot
90-603​
A3-103​
Mirage IIIDA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot​
90-604​
A3-104​
Mirage IIIDA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Noted in service as 90-604
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot​
90-608​
A3-108​
Mirage IIIDA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Served with No.5 Squadron "Falcons"
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot​
90-610​
A3-110​
Mirage IIIDA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Served with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot
Crashed 4/03/2015 near Dera Ismail Khan.
Lightning Strike given as possible cause of crash
Air Commodore Shafqat and Flight Lieutenant Sohaib killed​
90-611​
A3-111​
Mirage IIIDA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Served with No.5 Squadron "Falcons"
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot​
90-612
A3-112​
Mirage IIIDA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90 .
Our photo shows it initially retained its orange ARDU scheme with PAF serial 612 applied
Repainted in camouflage
Served with No.5 Squadron "Falcons"
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot​
90-613​
A3-113​
Mirage IIIDA​
Delivered to Pakistan Air Force 11/90
Any surviving IIIDA serve with No.15 Squadron (Cobras) at PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot​
The Author of this page is Martin Edwards​
 
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We as Pakistanis may have reservation on not too friendly policies of US government, but I should admit that the technical knowledge they impart to our technical staff was outstanding. Up to date Technical Orders, on-the job training, and step wise maintenance manuals including pre- and post maintenance procedures (Job Guides) were introduced while inducting US weapon systems and platforms in PAF. Even the training and operational base organization is at par US standards. During one of my visits to a certain USAF base, I found PAF bases were much better organized and our technical staff was much more competent.

After induction of F-16s, technical manuals of all other non-US weapon systems were revised to ensure correct technical procedure be followed to accomplish various tasks. New Job Guides were prepared for each maintenance task.

Now I can see that PAF is improving day by day.

This is the proof of it. Proud of you PAF. Keep it up.
 
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1599961582149.png



This is the first batch of Mirage pilots led by the Squadron Commander, then Wg Cdr M M Alam. (Wg Cdr Middlecoat is not in the picture).

Jan 1968. Mont-de-Marsan, France.

From left: Arif Manzoor, Farooq Umar, (Fr. pilot), MM Alam, (Fr. pilot), Hakimullah, RM Akhtar.


Ferry route:......Mont-de-Marsan, Istre (France), Brindisi (Italy), Murted.Ankara (Turkey), Teheran (Iran), Mauripur.Karachi, Sargodha.
 
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We as Pakistanis may have reservation on not too friendly policies of US government, but I should admit that the technical knowledge they impart to our technical staff was outstanding. Up to date Technical Orders, on-the job training, and step wise maintenance manuals including pre- and post maintenance procedures (Job Guides) were introduced while inducting US weapon systems and platforms in PAF. Even the training and operational base organization is at par US standards. During one of my visits to a certain USAF base, I found PAF bases were much better organized and our technical staff was much more competent.

After induction of F-16s, technical manuals of all other non-US weapon systems were revised to ensure correct technical procedure be followed to accomplish various tasks. New Job Guides were prepared for each maintenance task.

Now I can see that PAF is improving day by day.

This is the proof of it. Proud of you PAF. Keep it up.

i would not give the credit to the yanks but actually the pomps who deserve all the actual credit. As they are the ones who built them from the ground up and the qualities they instilled in them are matchless.
the yanks were passed the baton down the line and built up on wt was presented to them. Mind u by that time PAF was already a battle hardened professional force and hence had great capabilites to absorb all the learning.

On the other hand all experiments by the yanks to build a foreign army have ended up in huge failure and utter embarresment. starting from viatnam to afg.
 
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Mirage V will not be replaced by PAF in near future.

Having a service ceiling of 59000 ft, Mirage V become a formidable platform to launch air to surface/sea stand of weapons and cruise missiles from greater distance.

Due to this characteristic, range of weapon deployed may increase tremendously.
 
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Mirage V will not be replaced by PAF in near future.

Having a service ceiling of 59000 ft, Mirage V become a formidable platform to launch air to surface/sea stand of weapons and cruise missiles from greater distance.

Due to this characteristic, range of weapon deployed may increase tremendously.

If this plane is of critical importance as part of PAF strategy couldn’t PAF in tandem with China/Turkey designed and fielded a delta wing fighter to replace the aging mirage with better tech and stealth features etc?
 
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