This is a list of Dassault Mirage IIIs, Dassault Mirage 5s, and Mirage 50s used by national air forces. The Central Intelligence Agency once estimated that a slightly over 800 of the three aircraft types had been exported to various countries around the world.
The key "1S" indicates a single-seat Mirage fighter, while "2S" indicates a two-seat Mirage, and "PR" indicates a photo reconnaissance aircraft.
Operators
Abu Dhabi and the UAE
Abu Dhabi Defence Force United Arab Emirates Air Force No.3 Squadron "Shaheen", based at Al Dhafra
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 12 5AD + 14 5EAD 2S: 3 5DAD PR: 3 RAD
Out of Service. All of the remaining aircraft (7 5AD, 9 5EAD, 2 5DAD, and 1 5RAD) were sold to Egypt in 2004.
Argentina
Argentine Air Force Escuadrón I de Caza Interceptora (Mirage III), later Grupo VIII de Caza, based at Moreno Grupo VI de Caza (Dagger, then also Mirage III and Mirage 5P), based at Tandil Grupo X de Caza (Mirage III, then Mirage 5P), based at Río Gallegos
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 19 IIICJ + 17 IIIEA 2S: 3 IIIBJ + 4 IIIDA Plus 35 IAI 1S Dagger A + 4 2S Dagger T. Survivors locally updated to Finger standards. Plus 10 5P. Survivors (9) locally updated to Mara standards. IIICJs & IIIBJs were ex-Israeli, 5Ps were ex-Peruvian.
All were retired in December 2015.
Australia
Royal Australian Air Force No. 3 Squadron RAAF, 1967-1986 No. 75 Squadron RAAF, 1965-1988 No. 76 Squadron RAAF, 1966-1973 No. 77 Squadron RAAF, 1969-1987 No. 79 Squadron RAAF, 1969-1988 No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF, 1964-1985 Aircraft Research and Development Unit, 1964-1989
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 49 IIIO(F) + 51 IIIO(A) 2S: 16 IIID
116 Mirage IIIs (RAAF serials A3-1 to -116) were in service with the RAAF from 1964 to 1989. Most built locally, 50 sold to Pakistan in 1990, together with additional engines and spare parts.
Belgium
Belgian Air Force 1st Squadron, 1971-1988 2nd Squadron, 1970-1988 42nd Squadron, 1971-1993
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 63 5BA 2S: 16 5BD PR: 27 5BR
All but three of the aircraft were built locally under license. A minor "MIRSIP" upgrade was performed on 20 survivors in the early 1990s, but all were then retired. 25 aircraft, including all of the upgraded ones, were transferred to Chile as Elkans in 1995-1996.
Brazil
Brazilian Air Force 1° Grupo de Defesa Aérea, based at Anápolis
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 22 F-103E (Mirage IIIEBR) (16 new-build and 6 second-hand French Mirage IIIEs) 2S: 6 F-103D (Mirage IIIDBR) (4 new-build and 2 second-hand French Mirage IIIRs rebuilt as twin-seat aircraft) + 4 IIIBBR (2 second-hand French Mirage IIIBEs and 2 second-hand Zairian Mirage 5DMs)
Survivors upgraded with canards starting from 1989. One F-103E fitted with a refueling probe in 1992.https://www.milavia.net/specials/fab_mirage/ Last one retired in 2005.
Chile
Chilean Air Force Grupo de Aviación N° 4 (Mirage M50), Aeropuerto Arturo Merino Benitez (Santiago), moved to Base Aérea de Chabunco (Punta Arenas) in 1986 Grupo de Aviación N° 8 (Mirage M5M), Base Aérea de Cerro Moreno (Antofagasta)
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 6 50C + 8 50FC + 15 5MA "Elkan" 2S: 3 50DC + 5 5MD "Elkan" + 1 non-modernized ex-Belgian Air Force 5BD PR: 4 non-modernized ex-Belgian Air Force 5BR
50FC were upgraded by Dassault from French Air Force 5Fs. All of the surviving Mirage 50s were updated by Enaer to Pantera standard from 1988 to 2002. Elkans are modernized ex-Belgian Air Force Mirage 5s. Some ex-South African Cheetahs as spares. Retired on 31 December 2007
Colombia Colombian Air Force Comando Aéreo de Combate No. 1, later renamed Grupo de Combate No. 11, Base Militar de Palanquero, Puerto Salgar Escuadrón de Combate No. 212 (Mirage 5) Escuadrón de Combate No. 213 (Mirage 5CODM), later renamed Escuadrón de Combate No.111 "Dardos"
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 14 5COA. Survivors converted to 5COAM 2S: 2 5COD. Survivors converted to 5CODM PR: 2 5COR. Survivor converted to 5COAM
Starting in the late 1980s, surviving Colombian Mirages were upgraded to an improved standard, with new avionics similar to those found on the Kfir, as well as canards and an in-flight refueling probe. The upgraded aircraft were designated Mirage 5COAM/CODM. All were retired in 2009.
Ecuador Ecuadorian Air Force Delivered in late 2009 as a gift from Venezuela, but without air-to-air or anti-ship missiles and never served operationally. Stored at first at the Base Aérea Eloy Alfaro (Manta), then at Base Aérea Taura.
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 4 50V 2S: 2 50DV
Egypt
Egyptian Air Force 211th Fighter Ground Attach Brigade at Jiyanklis Air Base 69th Squadron 236th Fighter Ground Attach Brigade at the Birma Air Base (Tanta) 71st Squadron 73rd Squadron (with a detachment at Marsa Matruh)
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 54 5SDE + 16 5E2 + 7 5AD + 9 5EAD 2S: 6 5SDD PR: 6 5SDR + 1 5RAD 4 ex-Spanish Air Force IIIDE and 4 ex-Zairian 5M bought for spares in 2006.
France
French Air Force 2e Escadre de Chasse, at Base aérienne 102 Dijon-Longvic (Mirage IIIC 1961-1968, Mirage IIIB 1962-1986, Mirage IIIE 1968-1985, Mirage IIIBE 1971-1986, Mirage IIIR 1983-1986) Escadron de chasse 1/2 Cigognes Escadron de Chasse 2/2 Côte d'Or Escadron de chasse 3/2 Alsace 3e Escadre de Chasse, at Base aérienne 133 Nancy-Ochey (Mirage IIIE 1965-1994, Mirage 5F 1974-1977) Escadron de chasse 1/3 Navarre Escadron de Chasse 2/3 Champagne Escadron de chasse 3/3 Ardennes 4e Escadre de Chasse, at Base aérienne 116 Luxeuil-St.Sauver (Mirage IIIE 1966-1988) Escadron de chasse 1/4 Dauphiné Escadron de Chasse 2/4 La Fayette 5e Escadre de Chasse, at Base aérienne 115 Orange-Caritat (Mirage IIIC 1966-1975) Escadron de chasse 1/5 Vendée Escadron de Chasse 2/5 Ile-de-France Escadron de chasse 3/5 Comtat Venaissin 13e Escadre de Chasse, at Base aérienne 132 Colmar-Meyenheim (Mirage IIIC 1965-1992, Mirage IIIB 1986-1992, Mirage IIIE 1965-1992, Mirage IIIBE 1986-1994, Mirage 5F 1972-1994) Escadron de chasse 1/13 Artois Escadron de Chasse 2/13 Alpes Escadron de chasse 3/13 Auvergne 33e Escadre de Reconnaissance, at Base aérienne 124 Strasbourg-Entzheim (Mirage IIIB 1963-1965, Mirage IIIR 1963-1988, Mirage IIIRD 1968-1988) Escadron de reconnaissance 1/33 Belfort Escadron de Chasse 2/33 Savoie Escadron de chasse 3/33 Moselle
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 95 IIIC + 183 IIIE + 58 5F 2S: 27 IIIB + 5 IIIB1 + 10 IIIB2 + 20 IIIBE PR: 50 IIIR + 20 IIIRD
All aircraft retired.
Gabon Gabon Air Force Escadron de Chasse 1-02, based at Franceville/M'Vengue
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 3 5G + 4 5G2 (including 2 undelivered Zairian 5Ms) 2S: 2 5DG + 2 5DG2
Retired around 2006-2008, although all flying activity had already been stopped in the mid-1990s.
Israel
Israeli Air Force 101 Squadron 117 Squadron 119 Squadron 253 Squadron 254 Squadron 113 Squadron (Nesher only) 144 Squadron (Nesher only)
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 72 IIICJ 2S: 4 IIIBJ 2 Mirage IIIRJ photo reconnaissance aircraft IAI assembled 60 Neshers, with 50 single-seaters and 10 two-seat Nesher Ts.
All of the aircraft are withdrawn from use. 39 Neshers, including 4 two-seaters, were transferred to Argentina between 1978 and the beginning of 1982. 19 IIICJ and 3 IIIBJ followed, between December 1982 and February 1983.
Lebanon Lebanese Air Force 8th Squadron, Rayak Air Base
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 10 IIIEL 2S: 2 IIIBL
Delivered in 1968 as a gift from France, all grounded in the 1970's due to lack of funds. All surviving aircraft (9 IIIEL and 1 IIIBL) were sold to Pakistan in 2000.
Libya Libyan Air Force 1010th Squadron "Jerusalem" at Mitiga International Airport (1971-1983), then Al-Watiya Air Base (1983-early 1990s), then back to Mitiga (early 1990's-2003) 1020th Squadron "Tira" at Mitiga (1973-1983) 1030th Squadron at Al-Watiya (1976-early 1990s) 1040th Squadron at Gamal Abdel Nasser Airbase (1976-early 1990s)
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 53 5D + 32 5DE 2S: 15 5DD PR: 10 5DR
Most of the surviving aircraft (32 5D, 29 5DE, 12 5DD and 6 5DR) were sold to Pakistan as part of Project ROSE in 2004-2005.
Pakistan
Pakistan Air Force No. 7 Squadron No. 8 Squadron No. 15 Squadron No. 22 Squadron No. 25 Squadron No. 27 Squadron Combat Commanders' School
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 18 IIIEP + 28 5PA + 18 5PA2 + 12 5PA3 + 43 IIIO + 15 IIIEE + 35 5F + 32 5D + 29 5DE 2S: 5 IIIDP + 2 5DPA2 + 7 IIID + 9 IIIBE + 5 IIIDE + 1 IIIEL + 12 5DD PR: 3 IIIRP + 10 IIIRP2 + 6 5DR
The Pakistan Air Force is the largest operator of the Dassault Mirage III/5 with a fleet strength of around 156 aircraft. The fleet consists of fighters built for Pakistan (Mirage IIIEP, IIIRP, IIIDP, IIIRP2, 5PA, 5PA2, 5PA3, 5DPA2) in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, as well as used French, Australian, Libyan, Spanish and Lebanese aircraft bought in the 1990s and early 2000s. Some 35 of the Australian-built Mirage IIIO variant were modernized with new avionics under the first stage of the ROSE (Retrofit Of Strike Element) upgrade programme to make air superiority specialized "ROSE I" fighters.
Note that some of the second-hand aircraft never flew with the PAF, being used only for spare parts or as training aids. Pakistan is capable of locally refurbishing its Mirages at the Mirage Rebuild Factory of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.
All Mirage III/Mirage 5 aircraft are to be retired and replaced with the Pakistan/China produced JF-17 by 2025.
Peru Peruvian Air Force Grupo Aéreo N°6 at the Base Aérea "Pedro Ruiz Gallo" (Chiclayo) Escuadrón Aéreo N°611 Escuadrón Aéreo N°612
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 22 5P + 10 5P3 + 2 5P4 2S: 4 5DP + 1 5DP3 + 1 5DP4
10 5P were transferred to Argentina in 1982. All of the 15 surviving aircraft were upgraded to Mirage 5P4/5DP4 standards from 1985 to 1990. Survivors stored by 2002.
South Africa
South African Air Force 2 Squadron SAAF, 1963-1990 3 Squadron SAAF, 1966-1975 85 Combat Flying School SAAF, 1974-1992 (renamed 89 Combat Flying School in 1986) 1S: 16 IIICZ + 17 IIIEZ
Total number of aircraft delivered: 2S: 3 IIIBZ + 3 IIIDZ + 11 IIID2Z PR: 4 IIIRZ + 4 IIIR2Z
All out of service, some having been upgraded to Cheetah standards. There were 16 Cheetah E conversions (all out of service), 16 Cheetah D conversions, and one Cheetah R conversion. Some Cheetah Es were sold to Chile for use as spare parts for Panteras.
Spain
Spanish Air Force Ala 11 at Manises Air Base
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 24 C.11 (Mirage IIIEE) 2S: 7 CE.11 (Mirage IIIDE)
Upgrade plan (head-up display, ALE-40 decoy launchers, AIM-9L/AGM-65G capability, two extra hardpoints) cancelled in 1991. Withdrawn from service in October 1992. Some survivors (15 IIIEE and 5 IIIDE) were used as part of the payment for the Mirage F1M upgrade and later sold to Pakistan.
Switzerland
Swiss Air Force Fliegerstaffel 3, 1992-2001, Mirage IIIRS Fliegerstaffel 4, 1992-2000 Fliegerstaffel 10, 1968-2003, Mirage IIIRS Fliegerstaffel 16, 1967-1999 Fliegerstaffel 17, 1967-1997
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 1 IIICS + 36 IIIS 2S: 3 IIIBS + 2 IIIDS PR: 18 IIIRS
Most built locally, many upgraded with canards, optics etc. Withdrawn from service in 2003 (Mirage IIIRS). One Mirage IIIDS (J-2012, civilian immatriculation HB-RDF) flew passengers until May 25th of 2023 when it was retired.
Venezuela
Venezuelan Air Force Grupo Aéreo de Caza 11 “Los Diablos” at the Base Area El Libertadr in Palo Negro Escuadrón 33 “Halcones” Escuadrón 34 “Caciques”
Total number of aircraft delivered: 1S: 7 IIIEV (2 modernized to Mirage 50EV standards) + 6 5V (2 modernized to Mirage 50EV and 1 to Mirage 50DV standards) + 9 50EV (6 new-build and 3 modified ex-Zairian Mirage 5M)