Mirage-2000 vs F-16 Falcon: Which is a better fighter jet?
The Mirage 2000 is mainly known for its capability of carrying out bombing operations while the F-16 has an edge in air-to-air combat
- Mar 1, 2019,
- Updated Mar 1, 2019 1:36 PM IST
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI may be the Indian Air Force's primary air superiority fighter but the stars of Tuesday's surgical strike at terror camps across the LoC were the Mirage 2000s. A day later, Pakistani Air Force (PAF) released the deadliest arrow in its quiver - the F-16 Fighting Falcons - in a retaliatory strike, and lost one of them to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman before his MiG21 was brought down and he was captured.
According to India Today, India had initially ordered some 36 single-seater Mirage 2000 aircraft and 4 twin-seater Mirage 2000 aircraft as a response to Pakistan's acquisition of the US-made F-16 Falcons. So, which one is a better fighter jet? Let's take a look:
The Mirage 2000 is mainly known for its capability of carrying out bombing operations. A single aircraft can hold at least two laser-guided bombs, capable of taking out major ground targets. However, since a large number of weapons can be stored on this aircraft, it can definitely be used efficiently in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.
The F-16, however, is better suited for air-to-air combat due to its high manoeuvring capability. It can pull 9-g manoeuvres. Moreover, its cockpit is still praised for the clear field of view it offers - pilots can get a 360-degree view during combat, thus greatly improving accuracy.
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI may be the Indian Air Force's primary air superiority fighter but the stars of Tuesday's surgical strike at terror camps across the LoC were the Mirage 2000s. A day later, Pakistani Air Force (PAF) released the deadliest arrow in its quiver - the F-16 Fighting Falcons - in a retaliatory strike, and lost one of them to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman before his MiG21 was brought down and he was captured.
According to India Today, India had initially ordered some 36 single-seater Mirage 2000 aircraft and 4 twin-seater Mirage 2000 aircraft as a response to Pakistan's acquisition of the US-made F-16 Falcons. So, which one is a better fighter jet? Let's take a look:
The Mirage 2000 is mainly known for its capability of carrying out bombing operations. A single aircraft can hold at least two laser-guided bombs, capable of taking out major ground targets. However, since a large number of weapons can be stored on this aircraft, it can definitely be used efficiently in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.
The F-16, however, is better suited for air-to-air combat due to its high manoeuvring capability. It can pull 9-g manoeuvres. Moreover, its cockpit is still praised for the clear field of view it offers - pilots can get a 360-degree view during combat, thus greatly improving accuracy.