Aerges Engineering

During the 1960s, several fighter design projects were being developed in France: the F1, the larger F2, the swing-wing G and the AFVG (the latter in conjunction with the UK). Cost and political issues led to the cancellation of all of these projects, except of the F1, which was a lighter fighter aircraft designed from the beginning to be the successor of the Mirage III and V families of aircraft.

The Mirage F1 wing and empennage configuration enabled it to improve upon some of the problems that the Mirage III and V suffered due to their delta wing configuration: The high lift devices of the F1 allowed for shorter landing distances and better manoeuvrability and handling at low speeds. The F1 was also able to carry 40% more fuel internally and had a more powerful engine.

The initial prototype first flew on the 23rd of December of 1966, already achieving speeds in excess of Mach 2 in its fourth flight. A fatal accident related to fluttering destroyed this prototype but, after a redesign, the testing of the aircraft continued successfully and the first deliveries of the production aircraft took place in May 1973.

The type has partaken in multiple conflicts serving different countries throughout its extensive service life. With France it has served in Operations Manta, Epervier, Daguet (the Gulf War), Provide Comfort, Harmatan and Serval over Chad, Libya, Mali, Kuwait… As well as in Afghanistan. It partook in the South African Border War with South Africa, in the Paquisha War with Ecuador, in the Libyan civil war, in the Western Sahara War with Morocco and, perhaps most famously, in the Iran-Iraq and Gulf wars with Iraq.

The Mirage F1 has served in the air forces of several countries: France, Iraq, Spain, South Africa, Greece, Jordan, Kuwait, Ecuador and Qatar. It is still in operation in several others: Morocco, Iran, Libya, Gabon and the Republic of the Congo. It also serves in private aggressor training services in the USA.