Fighter Aircraft
Dassault Mirage F1
The Dassault Mirage F1 is a French single-engine swept-wing multirole fighter built by Dassault Aviation, in French service from 1973. A total of 718 were built, and Morocco, Libya and Iran are among the few remaining operators.
France|Dassault AviationWhat Is the Dassault Mirage F1? Overview, History and Development
Dassault developed the Mirage F1 privately as a successor to the Mirage III and 5. It first flew on 23 December 1966 and entered French service in 1973. It uses a swept wing and a single SNECMA Atar 9K-50 engine, reaching about Mach 2.2. Armament includes two 30 mm DEFA 553 cannon, R550 Magic and Matra Super 530 missiles, and the AM39 Exocet in the anti-ship version.
A total of 718 were built. France took 246, and roughly 250 more went to about 10 export customers. Production ended in 1990. Iraq used the F1EQ heavily in the Iran-Iraq War, including Exocet attacks on tankers and the USS Stark in 1987, which killed 37. Spain retired the type in 2013 and France in 2014. Morocco still flies about 20 F1CH and F1EH, being replaced by the F-16V. Libya and Iran have small, uncertain numbers. Some ex-Spanish jets serve with US contractors.
Dassault Mirage F1 Specifications: Speed, Range, Engines and Armament
Dassault Mirage F1 Variants and Versions Compared
The Mirage F1C was the original single-seat interceptor version with the Cyrano IV radar.
The Mirage F1CR was a reconnaissance and strike version with an improved radar and sensors.
The Mirage F1EQ was the Iraqi multirole export version, with an Exocet anti-ship capability in the F1EQ-5.
Which Countries Use the Dassault Mirage F1? Operators and Users
Morocco
Libya
IranDassault Mirage F1 FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How fast is the Mirage F1?
The Dassault Mirage F1 has a top speed of about Mach 2.2. Its combat radius ranges from about 425 to 700 km depending on the mission.
How many Mirage F1 were built?
A total of 718 Mirage F1 fighters were built. France received 246, and the rest went to about 10 export customers, with production ending in 1990.
Which countries still use the Mirage F1?
Morocco, Libya and Iran are the main remaining Mirage F1 operators, with Morocco the clearest. Libya and Iran have small, uncertain numbers, and France retired its jets in 2014.
What did Iraq do with the Mirage F1?
Iraq used the Mirage F1EQ extensively in the Iran-Iraq War, including Exocet attacks on tankers. An Iraqi F1 also struck the USS Stark in 1987, killing 37 crew members.
Mirage F1 vs MiG-23: which is better?
The Mirage F1 was more agile at low speed and easier to fly, while the MiG-23 offered a look-down radar and swing wings. Both were widely exported, and results depended on pilots and versions.
Which Arab countries used the Mirage F1?
Morocco, Libya, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan have all used the Mirage F1. Morocco is the main current Arab operator and is replacing its jets with the F-16V.