Aircraft
End of the Line for the Nuclear Mirage
The French air force has undertaken its final flights with the Mirage 2000N, although the DGA plans to retain three for trials and training
A pair of Mirage 2000Ns undertakes a final flypast at Istres on August 30. One of the aircraft wears a special scheme to commemorate the 2000N's 30 years of service. (photo: Armée de l'Air)
A pair of Mirage 2000Ns undertakes a final flypast at Istres on August 30. One of the aircraft wears a special scheme to commemorate the 2000N's 30 years of service. (photo: Armée de l'Air)

On August 30, the Armée de l’Air (AA, French air force) brought the 30-year military flying career of the Dassault Mirage 2000N (N = nucléaire) to a close. Three aircraft that had served with Escadron de Chasse 2/4 “La Fayette” flew out of BA (Base Aérienne) 125 Istres for the last time and into storage. EC 2/4 had formally retired the Mirage 2000N from the front line on June 21, and has since moved to BA113 Saint-Dizier to operate the Dassault Rafale B. Among its duties is the nuclear strike role for which the Mirage 2000N was originally developed.


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