Editing Dassault Mirage III (section)

==Operational history==
[[File:Downed Mirage.jpg|thumb|Wreckage of downed Israeli Mirage in the [[Yom Kippur war]]]]

===Israel===
[[File:Meitar Collection (997009327157005171.jpg|thumb|A Mirage IIICJ armed with a [[Matra R530]] in 1967]]
On 29 November 1966, the pilot of an Israeli Air Force Dassault Mirage III shot down two Egyptian [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19|MiG-19s]] which were trying to intercept an Israeli reconnaissance [[Piper J-3 Cub]] in Israeli airspace. The first MiG was destroyed with a [[R.530]] radar guided missile fired from less than a mile away, marking the first aerial kill for the French-made missile. The second MiG-19 was dispatched with cannon fire.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jta.org/1966/11/30/archive/israeli-pilot-shoots-down-two-egyptian-soviet-made-mig-jets |title=Israeli Pilot Shoots Down Two Egyptian Soviet-made Mig Jets |access-date=13 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414092018/https://www.jta.org/1966/11/30/archive/israeli-pilot-shoots-down-two-egyptian-soviet-made-mig-jets |archive-date=14 April 2018 |url-status=live |date=30 November 1966 }}</ref>

====Six-Day War====
During the [[Six-Day War]], fought between 5 and 10 June 1967, Israel deployed a small detachment of 12 Mirages (comprising 4 permanently in the air and 8 at a high state of readiness on the ground) to defend the skies of Israel against attacks by hostile bombers, virtually all other Mirages were equipped with bombs and deployed on bombing raids against Arab air bases. Reportedly, the Mirage's performance as a bomber was modest at best, perhaps due to its limited payload capacity. During the first day of combat, a total of 6 MiG fighters were claimed to have been shot down by Mirage pilots. During the following days, Israeli Mirages typically performed as fighters; out of a claimed total of 58 Arab aircraft shot down in air combat during the conflict, 48 were accounted for by Mirage pilots.<ref name="air aces">{{cite web|last=Šafařík|first=Jan J.|title=Attributed Israeli Air Combat Victories|url=http://aces.safarikovi.org/victories/victories-israel.html|work=Air Aces|access-date=28 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815145038/http://aces.safarikovi.org/victories/victories-israel.html|archive-date=15 August 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Yom Kippur War====

During the 1973 [[Yom Kippur War]], the Mirage fleet was solely engaged in air-to-air operations. ACIG.org claims that at least 26 Mirages and Neshers were lost in air-to-air combat during the war.<ref>[http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=185&Itemid=47 "Egyptian Air-to-Air Victories since 1948."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054810/http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=185&Itemid=47 |date=21 September 2013 }} ''ACIG.'' Retrieved: 25 August 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=47 "Syrian Air-to-Air Victories since 1948."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060008/http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=47 |date=21 September 2013 }} ''ACIG.'' Retrieved: 25 August 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=47 "Iraqi Air-to-Air Victories since 1967."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219172206/http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=47 |date=19 December 2016 }}''ACIG.'' Retrieved: 25 August 2013.</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=December 2014}} Contrary to these claims, formal Israeli sources claim that only five [[Israeli Air Force]] aircraft were shot down in air-to-air dogfights.<ref>{{cite web|title=Downing|url=http://www.iaf.org.il/43-he/IAF.aspx|work=Israeli Air Force official site|access-date=28 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221020451/http://www.iaf.org.il/43-HE/IAF.aspx|archive-date=21 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In comparison, 106 Syrian and Egyptian aircraft were claimed shot down by Israeli Mirage IIICJ planes, and another 140 aircraft were claimed by the Nesher derivative.<ref name="air aces"/> Israeli Air Force pilot [[Giora Epstein]], "ace of aces" of modern, supersonic fighter jets, achieved all of his victories flying either the Mirage IIICJ or the [[IAI Nesher]] (An Israeli derivative of the Mirage 5, which were in turn developed from the Mirage III).<ref>{{cite web|title=The Best Pilot|url=http://www.amazing-airplanes.com/amazing_acheivements/best_pilot.php|work=Amazing Airplanes|access-date=28 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204005153/http://www.amazing-airplanes.com/amazing_acheivements/best_pilot.php|archive-date=4 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

===South Africa===
====Border War====
During the [[South African Border War]], the South African Air Force operated a force of 16 Mirage IIICZ interceptors, 17 Mirage IIIEZ multirole fighter-bombers, and 4 Mirage IIIRZ reconnaissance fighters, which were typically flown from bases in [[South-West Africa]].<ref name="Vlamgat">{{cite book|last=Lord|first=Dick|title=Vlamgat: The Story of the Mirage F1 in the South African Air Force|year=2008|publisher=30° South Publishers|location=Johannesburg, South Africa|isbn=978-1-920143-36-7}}</ref> Despite being recognised as an exceptional dogfighter, the Mirage III was often criticised for lacking the range to make it effective over long distances, such as during strike operations against [[People's Liberation Army of Namibia]] (PLAN) insurgents based in neighbouring [[Angola]].<ref name="Lord">{{cite book | title=From Fledgling to Eagle. The South African Air Force during the Border War. | publisher=Helion and Company Ltd | author=Lord, Dick | year=2012 | location=Solihull, West Midlands, UK | isbn=9781908916624}}</ref> South African pilots also found the high-nosed, delta-winged Mirage III relatively difficult to land on the rudimentary airstrips near the operational area.<ref name="Vlamgat"/>

Over time, the Mirage IIIs were eventually assigned to [[2 Squadron SAAF|2 Squadron, SAAF]], and restricted to the secondary roles of daytime interception, training exercises, and photographic reconnaissance missions following the adoption of the newer [[Mirage F1]]. The mediocre performance of the fighter's Cyrano II radar effectively precluded the type from conducting nighttime operations, as well as during challenging weather conditions.<ref name="Vlamgat"/> By the late 1980s, the Mirage IIICZ was considered so obsolete that it was utilised only for base security.<ref name="Scholtz">{{cite book|last=Scholtz|first=Leopold|title=The SADF in the Border War 1966–1989|year=2013|publisher=Tafelberg|location=Cape Town|isbn=978-0-624-05410-8}}</ref> Nevertheless, the Mirage IIIRZ continued to be deployed for photo reconnaissance missions over Angolan targets, as the SAAF had only one other aircraft equipped for this role, the even more antiquated [[English Electric Canberra]].<ref name="Lord"/>

During reconnaissance missions, SAAF Mirage IIIRZs would often fly at extremely low altitudes, sometimes as low as {{convert|50|ft|m|abbr=off|spell=in}}; briefly prior to reaching their intended targets, the aircraft would enter a rapid climb from which photographs would be taken before turning away.<ref name="Scholtz"/> During the [[Battle of Cuito Cuanavale]], Mirage IIIRZ pilots carried out mock sorties over enemy positions in [[Xangongo]] and [[Humbe]] in an attempt to provoke a response from Cuban or Angolan MiG-21s and [[Mikoyan MiG-23|MiG-23s]], which would then be engaged by accompanying SAAF Mirage F1AZs.<ref name="Scholtz"/>

===Pakistan===

==== Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 ====
[[File:Pakistan Air Force Cold War Jets.jpg|thumb|PAF's Dassault Mirage-III, Shenyang F-6 and Lockheed F-104 flying in a 3-ship formation]]
During the 1971 War, PAF Mirages were used in [[Operation Chengiz Khan|preemptive strikes]] and also claimed the first aerial victories against [[Indian Air Force|Indian]] Airforce [[English Electric Canberra|Canberra bombers and reconnaissance]] aircraft in the Western Front, along with [[Su-7]] and [[Hawker Hunter]]. During the war, the Mirages were frequently employed for Airfield Interdiction, strike, as well as CAP missions; whereas the tasks of Close Air Support and Battlefield Air Interdiction were taken up by [[F-86 Sabre]]s and [[Shenyang J-6|Shenyang F-6P]] aircraft.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Tufail |first1=M. Kaiser |title=Against all odds : the Pakistan Air Force in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war |date=March 2020 |publisher=Helion and Company |location=Warwick |isbn=9781913118648 |pages=48–75}}</ref>
Moreover, during the [[War on terror]], Pakistani Mirage-III & Mirage-V jets were deployed in the [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] province after the [[Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|spillover of militants from Afghanistan]] in 2001. They performed Close Air Support missions throughout the conflict.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/what-you-need-to-know-about-pakistans-north-waziristan-operation#_edncc6bd0732d08d5d0924938f6a5a5056746 | title=What You Need to Know About Pakistan's North Waziristan Operation }}</ref>

==== Operation Swift Retort ====
{{Main|2019 Jammu and Kashmir airstrikes}}
[[File:PAF Mirage III ROSE alert scramble competition Falcon Air Meet 2010 side view 2.jpg|thumb|[[Pakistan Air Force|PAF]] Mirage-IIIEA [[Project ROSE|ROSE-1]] from the [[No. 7 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|No. 7 Squadron]]]]In February 2019, the [[Indian Air Force]] [[2019 Balakot airstrike|bombed an alleged terrorist training camp]] in [[Balakot]] after violating Pakistan's airspace. In response, then [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Imran Khan]] ordered the [[Pakistan Air Force|Air Force]] to perform retaliatory airstrikes on Indian military installations at [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Indian Administered Kashmir]]. The retaliatory airstrikes were codenamed "Operation Swift Retort" and for this purpose, Two [[Dassault Mirage 5|Dassault Mirage 5PA]]s armed with [[H-4 SOW]] glide bombs and two dual seat Mirage IIIDAs from the [[No. 15 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|No. 15 Squadron]] were deployed for the mission. In the early hours of 27 February, the Mirages carried out the airstrikes while [[JF-17]]s and [[F-16]]s from [[List of Pakistan Air Force squadrons|other squadrons]] provided [[fighter escort|escort]] and [[Combat Air Patrol|CAP]]. The Mirage 5PAs dropped their payloads while the [[Weapon Systems Officer]]s in the Mirage IIIDAs guided the bombs to their respective targets via [[data link]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kaiser-aeronaut.blogspot.com/2019/06/pulwama-from-bluster-to-whimper.html|author=[[Kaiser Tufail]]|title=Pulwama-From Bluster to a Whimper|date=1 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://casstt.com/post/another-day-of-pride-for-the-pakistan-air-force-february-27-2019/320 |title='Another Day of Pride for the Pakistan Air Force: February 27, 2019 |publisher=Casstt.com |date= |accessdate=2022-08-07 |archive-date=26 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926004819/https://casstt.com/post/another-day-of-pride-for-the-pakistan-air-force-february-27-2019/320 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.keymilitary.com/article/operation-swift-retort-one-year |title=Operation Swift Retort one year on |publisher=Keymilitary.com |date=2020-03-19 |accessdate=2022-08-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/892466/pafs-operation-swift-retort-feb-27-continues-to-haunt-iaf/ |title=PAF's Operation Swift Retort - Feb 27 continues to haunt IAF |publisher=Daily Times |date=February 27, 2022 |accessdate=2022-08-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://kaiser-aeronaut.blogspot.com/2021/02/iafs-balakot-disaster-two-years-on.html?m=1 | title= IAF's Balakot Disaster Two Years On|date=26 February 2021|author=[[Kaiser Tufail]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2286502/paf-celebrates-2nd-anniversary-of-operation-swift-retort-at-ahq |title=PAF celebrates 2nd anniversary of Operation Swift Retort today at AHQ |publisher=Tribune.com.pk |date= 27 February 2021|accessdate=2022-08-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/06-Sep-2020/paf-pilots-who-downed-indian-jets-receive-pakistan-s-gallantry-awards-video |title=PAF pilots who downed Indian jets receive Pakistan's gallantry awards – VIDEO |publisher=En.dailypakistan.com.pk |date=2020-09-06 |accessdate=2022-08-07}}</ref>

===Argentina===
====Falklands War====
{{main|Argentine air forces in the Falklands War}}
[[File:Argentina Air Force Dassault Mirage IIIEA Lofting-3.jpg|thumb|Argentina Air Force Dassault Mirage-IIIEA]]
The Argentine Air Force deployed their Mirage IIIEA fleet during the 1982 [[Falklands War]]. Their ability to function as long-range strike aircraft was dramatically hindered by the type's lack of any [[aerial refueling]] capability; even when furnished with a pair of 2,000-litre (550-gallon) drop tanks to carry extra fuel, the Mirages (and Israeli-built [[IAI Dagger|Daggers]]) would be forced to fly up to the absolute limit of their range in order to even reach the British fleet from the mainland. Normally, the fighters would be sent to engage patrolling British [[British Aerospace Sea Harrier|Harrier jets]] and to provide air cover to a [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk]] strike force; however, they would have no more than five minutes at most over the combat area before having to embark upon the return flight back to their [[Aerodrome|airfields]].<ref>Hezsely, Csaba B. [http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj02/fal02/corum.html "Argentine Airpower in the Falklands War."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191905/http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj02/fal02/corum.html |date=2 January 2014 }} ''United States Air Force'', 12 January 1989.</ref>

Usually, Argentine Mirages were flown with an armament consisting of one [[Matra R530]] or a pair of [[R550 Magic|Magic 1]] AAMs. They only entered direct combat once, resulting in one of the Mirages being shot down by an [[AIM-9 Sidewinder|AIM-9L Sidewinder]] fired by a Harrier, and another destroyed by [[friendly fire]] after attempting to land on the runway at [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Port Stanley]] when nearly out of fuel. The fighters were frequently deployed to conduct diversion flights, flying at a very high altitude to force a response from the patrolling British Harriers to improve the chances of survival and success of the attack force. Additionally, a number of Mirages were also kept on a high state of alert against possible [[Avro Vulcan]] raids upon targets within the Argentine mainland, as well as to serve as a deterrence against aggressive flights by neighbouring [[Chile]] conducted upon Argentina's western border.<ref>Carballo, Pablo. ''Halcones Sobre Malvinas'' (in Spanish). Cruzamante, 1985. {{ISBN|950-9294-07-1}}</ref>