| title (item) | field_cer_web | field_cer_navbox | g_geofield | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dassault Mirage 2000N | ||||
| Dassault Mirage 2000 |
On 30 August 1995, NATO suffered its sole loss of Operation Deliberate Force, when this Mirage 2000N-K2 was shot down by a 9K38 Igla MANPAD of the VRS over the Pale area, and both of its crewmembers were captured. The reasons for this loss were related to the French air force lacking aircraft with modern attack systems and precision-guided munitions: instead it was forced to deploy Mirage 2000Ns – originally developed for nuclear strike, but adapted to have a minimal conventional capability – for dive-bombing attacks with free-fall weapons. On 30 August 1995, this Mirage 2000N-K2 (serial 346/3-JD) of the 3e Escadre de Chasse was equipped as depicted here, with two Magic Mk 2 air-to-air missiles on outboard underwing pylons, four Mk.82 bombs on inboard underwing pylons and two massive, 1,500-litre drop tanks. Notable is the insignia of EC.2/3 Champagne on the fin. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)