Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French multirole, single-engine, fourth-generation jet fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation. In 1980, the Indian Air Force (IAF) learned that Pakistan was to purchase F-16A/B fighters, delivery of which was to commence in 1982. By late 1980, the IAF had to purchase an equally potent aircraft, as its MiG-21s and MiG-23s were inferior to the F-16. While evaluating the Mirage F1, India became aware of a high-performance prototype of the Mirage 2000 in the flight-testing phase. No other aircraft of this potential was being offered for export.

An assessment of the Mirage 2000 was carried out and the Indian Air Force felt that the French plane was more advanced and a superior response to the F-16s, and thus approached France for the Mirage 2000s. In October 1982, the country placed an order with Dassault for 36 single-seat Mirage 2000Hs and four twin-seat Mirage 2000THs (with H standing for “Hindustan”) with the possibility of a follow-on purchase of nine aircraft (eight single- and one twin-seater aircraft) as war, maintenance and attrition reserve.

The Mirage 2000 H/TH were utilised during the Kargil Conflict in multiple rolls including dropping Laser Guided Bombs on Enemy Bunkers, bringing a fast end to the conflict. Following this, the Mirage 2000 H/TH were upgraded to more potent version, and re-designated as Mirage 2000 I/TI. The I/TI were also used to strike Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot, Pakistan. This engagement was the first time since the 1971 war that IAF fighters had entered Pakistani airspace. All aircraft were armed with one Israeli Spice 2000 (one-tonne) bomb. The next day, IAF Mirage 2000Is, Su-30MKIs, and MiG-21s successfully defended against Pakistan Air Force JF-17s, Mirage IIIs, and F-16s, whose aim was to target Indian Army ammunition dumps and other infrastructure near Srinagar, Poonch and Jammu area. During the 2020 China-India standoff, India deployed Mirage 2000Is along the line of actual control, particularly after the Galwan Valley skirmish near Pangong Tso in the Ladakh region.

Golden Greek Dassault Mirage 2000 I/TI is a 5ft x 3.2 ft Hand Tufted Rug made with 100% New Zealand wool by our Local Indian Artisans, and has been created to honour the timeless beauty called Mirage 2000 and its contribution to the Indian Air Force.

NOTE : ALL HAND TUFTED RUGS ARE MADE TO ORDER AND WILL BE SHIPPED IN 30 – 45 DAYS TIMEFRAME