Who Made The Mirage 2000 Fighter Jet And Where Was It Manufactured?

When it comes to military aircraft, the Mirage 2000 is one of the most agile fighter jets flying today, and a mainstay of air forces around the world. Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, a French aerospace company, the Mirage 2000 is compact but very effective. The company oversaw every stage of the Mirage's initial creation, with multiple French facilities handling different components needed for production.

Dassault's Saint Cloud location was involved from the start, with production of the first Mirage 2000 prototype in 1977. The company's engineering offices, research labs, and workshops, were all located here. The fuselage for the Mirage 2000 was built in the company's Argenteuil location, which also handled the same work for other Mirage variants that followed. Final assembly for the fighter took place at Dassault's Mérignac facility, which not only houses construction but also conducts flight testing as well.

The Mirage 2000's first flight came a little over two months after the fighter was first commissioned. Built to replace Dassault's Mirage III, the new lightweight Mirage 2000's speed and agility made it a versatile force to be reckoned with. Able to exceed Mach 2 and successfully handling low speeds as well, the Mirage 2000 could maintain high angles of attack even when carrying weapons. Dassault eventually exported the fighter to several countries, including Brazil, Greece, and Peru, among others.

Dassault's Mirage 2000 fighter jet features a single-seat or two-seat configuration, and stretches around 47 feet long, with a 29.9-foot wing span. It carries two 30-millimeter guns in the single-seat variant, and in typical combat situations, the Mirage 2000 utilizes six Missile d'Interception et de Combat Aérien (MICA) missiles. These are air-to-air missiles that can fly at Mach 4 speeds and hit either short or long-range targets. While the Mirage 2000 has served admirably during its run, Dassault has indicated that the end is near for its famous fighter.

But as the Mirage 2000 is sunsetting, Dassault's Rafale fighter has gradually become a popular successor, and one of the best fighter jets in the world. The Rafale is being used in active service by the French Air and Space Force, the French Navy, and other countries have added it to their fleets as well. Taiwan may eventually switch to the Rafale too, as the country is in the midst of updating its aging military forces with more modern solutions.

Like the Mirage 2000, the Rafale can hit targets from long range and can operate efficiently during low-level flights. It's capable of superior aerial, plus ground attacks, as well as reconnaissance, and nuclear weapon deterrence, all in the same mission. The Rafale's advanced electronic weapons system also sets it apart, making it a fighter that France plans to utilize well into the future.