Taiwan set to evaluate Dassault Mirage 2000 service life extension

Taiwan is currently exploring the possibility of extending the operational life of nine Dassault Mirage 2000 aircraft utilized by the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF). In 1992, the island country acquired a fleet of 60 Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets, consisting of 48 single-seat interceptors and 12 twin-seat trainers. These aircraft became operational in 1997 and have played a crucial role in safeguarding the country’s airspace sovereignty. However, with time, they have entered a later stage of their life cycle, leading to higher maintenance and repair costs compared to other ROCAF aircraft.

During their 26 years of service, the Mirage 2000 fleet encountered six crashes, resulting in the loss of five pilots. Despite the challenges faced by Taiwanese fighters, the 10% attrition rate for a single-engine aircraft fleet over such an extended period is commendable.

The Taiwan government has witnessed a significant increase in air force activity, with a 129% jump in 2020, primarily due to the repeated intrusions of Chinese military planes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). A recent crash on March 14, 2022, triggered a public debate in Taiwan about the safety of the Mirage 2000 and the rising operating costs due to limited availability of parts.

In response to the situation, Colonel Sun Li-fang, the spokesperson for Taiwan’s military, clarified in a briefing on June 13, 2023, that the Mirage 2000 fleet meets the standards of availability or mission capability set by the ministry, dismissing rumors of decommissioning.

To evaluate the feasibility of extending the service life of the Mirage 2000 fighters, Taiwan has sought assistance from the French company Dassault Aviation, the aircraft’s manufacturer. For this evaluation, a budget of NT$150 million (approximately US$4.77 million) has been allocated, and the assessment is scheduled to be completed by July 2026.

The focus of the evaluation is on nine twin-seat aircraft, which, if approved, will have their operational capabilities extended by another 20 years. This emphasis on twin-seat airframes is driven by the strategic advantage of using them for both training purposes and operational missions, according to Focus Taiwan.

The plan to extend the service life of these aircraft serves as an interim solution while Taiwan awaits the delivery of 66 new Lockheed Martin F-16V fighters, ordered in August 2020. Initially expected to be delivered in 2023, the first fighter’s delivery was postponed to late 2024 due to supply chain disruptions and software problems. The full delivery is now slated for 2026.