Cannon, Missile Upgrade For French Mirage-2000D Aircraft

The French defense procurement agency DGA has awarded Dassault Aviation and MBDA a contract for the mid-life upgrade of 55 Mirage 2000D aircraft in service with the French Air Force.

The goal of the mid-life upgrade is to allow them to operate alongside the Rafale combat aircraft beyond 2030, DGA said in a statement Tuesday.

In addition to the modernization of the avionics, the upgrade includes the fitting of automatic cannon for ground attack as well as the replacement of their previous-generation Magic self-protection missiles by the MICA. 

This program will allow the ministry of defense to maintain the force levels established by the White Paper on Defense and National Security, or a combined 225 combat aircraft for the air force and navy.