Mirage 5PA2 Fighter Jet

Full Specifications

The Dassault Mirage 5PA2 is a Pakistan-specific version of the French Mirage 5, developed as a supersonic single-seat strike and fighter aircraft. Built from the Mirage III family, the Mirage 5 was designed primarily for low-level attack missions while retaining the speed needed for interception and tactical operations. The PA2 variant added a Cyrano IV multimission radar, giving Pakistan a more capable sensor-equipped version than the radarless Mirage 5PA. Eighteen Mirage 5PA2 aircraft were produced for Pakistan.

Manufacturer and Origin

The aircraft was manufactured by Dassault-Breguet in France for the Pakistan Air Force. Pakistan ordered the Mirage 5PA2 as part of a larger Mirage acquisition in the late 1970s, with deliveries completed by 1982. The Mirage 5 family first flew on May 19, 1967, and more than 500 Mirage 5 aircraft were produced in different versions.

Speed, Range and Armament

Powered by a single SNECMA Atar 9C turbojet, the Mirage 5 can exceed Mach 2 and reach a service ceiling of about 59,000 feet. Published Mirage 5 data gives a range of roughly 1,300 km, although actual mission range varies with weapons, fuel tanks, altitude, and flight profile.

The PA2 uses the Cyrano IV radar and can employ air-to-air weapons, bombs, rockets, and other external stores. The Mirage 5 design provides seven external weapon stations and a maximum external payload commonly reported at about 4,000 kg. Its two 30 mm DEFA cannons provide built-in gun armament.

Operational Use and Cost

The Mirage 5PA2 served with the Pakistan Air Force as a tactical strike platform and formed part of Pakistan’s long-running Mirage III and Mirage 5 fleet. Modernization programs later extended the service life and capabilities of several Pakistani Mirages. The exact individual purchase price of the Mirage 5PA2 has not been reliably disclosed in public sources, so a current unit price cannot be stated accurately.

Variants