IAF’s Mirage 2000 Was Modified In Record 12 Days To Support Targeting Pods, Laser Guided Bombs During Kargil War

The Mirage-2000s of Indian Air Force which turned the tide in favour of India during the Kargil war had undergone urgent modifications within an unbelievable span of 12 days, before being deployed in the operation, revealed Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa.

"Modification to the Mirage-2000 was in process and expedited, and the system was brought in place for the Kargil War," said the IAF chief while speaking at an event at the Gwalior airbase to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Kargil victory.

Asserting that the Mirage-2000 was still the 'sword arm of the IAF' even before the modifications, Dhanoa said that the integration of targeting pods and 1000-pound laser-guided bombs(LGBs) with the aircraft was done in a record time of 12 days to deem them combat ready, reports News 18.

Recalling his days as the commanding chief of Srinagar base during the war, Dhanoa said, "Tiger Hill was also a message at that particular time that no matter how small you are, no matter how precariously you are positioned, we will be able to get you and hit you."

The Mirage-2000 aircraft played a crucial role in the operation Safed Sagar during the Kargil war, striking the enemy targets bunkered on top of the Tiger Hill, besides tasting success at Muntho Dhalo and Point 4388 of the Drass Sector in June 1999.