대만, 미라지 2000 수명연장 사업성 평가 예정

[위종민]

대만이 현재 운용중인 미라지 2000의 수명연장사업 사업성 평가를 진행할 예정입니다. 대만은 1992년 미라지 2000 단좌 48기와 복좌 12기를 주문해 1997년부터 운용했으며 대만 공군의 일익을 담당했으나 최근 운영유지비용 문제가 불거져왔었지요. 특히 최근 2022년 3월 14일의 추락사고로 인해 부품 부족으로 인한 운영비용 상승이 미라지 2000의 안전에 악영향을 미치고 있는 게 아닌가 하는 논란을 불러일으켰다고 합니다. 

대만은 미라지 2000을 대체하기 위해 F-16V 66기를 2020년 주문했으나, 공급망 문제로 인해 2023년에서 2024년 후반으로 인도 일정이 미뤄졌습니다. 

이번 수명연장 사업에서는 (훈련과 작전에 모두 투입 가능해 효율이 높은) 복좌기 9기를 20년 더 수명연장하는 방안에 대한 사업성 평가를 진행한다고 합니다. 예산은 1억 5천만 대만달러(477만 달러)이며 2026년 7월 완료 예정입니다. 

https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/taiwan-dassault-mirage-2000-service-life-extension

Taiwan to assess Dassault Mirage 2000 service life extension

BYCLEMENT CHARPENTREAU

2023-08-01

2 MINUTE READ

Toshiro Aoki / Wikimedia Commons

Taiwan is considering extending the service life of nine of the Dassault Mirage 2000 operated by the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF). 

The island country acquired a fleet of 60 Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets in 1992, among which were 48 single-seat interceptors and 12 twin-seat trainers.  

The aircraft entered service with the ROCAF in 1997 and since then, it has represented an important component of the island’s airspace sovereignty defense. However, they are now entering a later stage of their life cycle, leading to higher maintenance and repair costs compared to other ROCAF aircraft. 

Over its 26 years of service, the Mirage 2000 fleet has encountered six crashes, leading to the loss of five pilots. This 10% attrition rate for a single-engine aircraft fleet over such a lengthy period is commendable, particularly considering the high level of engagement faced by Taiwanese fighters.  

The Taiwan government has reported a significant increase in its air force activity, with a 129% jump in 2020. This surge in activity is primarily attributed to the repeated and regular intrusions of Chinese military planes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). 

Yet the most recent crash, which took place on March 14, 2022, triggered a public debate in the country about the safety of the Mirage 2000 and increasing operating costs due to the low availability of parts.  

In a briefing held on June 13, 2023, Colonel Sun Li-fang, the spokesperson for Taiwan’s military, affirmed that the Mirage 2000 fleet met the ‘availability’ or ‘mission capable’ standards issued by the ministry, dismissing rumors of decommissioning.  

To eval‎uate the possibility of extending the service life of the fighters, Taiwan has enlisted the help of their manufacturer, the French company Dassault Aviation. A budget of NT$150 million (approximately US$4.77 million) was earmarked for the eval‎uation, scheduled to be completed by July 2026.  

Nine two-seater aircraft are being eval‎uated for potential service life extension, with the aim of extending their operational capabilities by another 20 years. The decision to focus on twin-seat airframes is driven by the strategic advantage of utilizing them for both training purposes and operational missions, according to Focus Taiwan. 

That fleet would act as a stopgap solution while Taiwan is awaiting the deliveries of 66 new Lockheed Martin F-16V fighters, ordered In August 2020, to begin. The delivery of the first fighter was expected in 2023. However, due to supply chain disruptions and software problems, it was postponed to late 2024. Full delivery is still slated for 2026. 

Read more: Taiwan Mirage 2000 fighters remain operational despite concerns: ROCA

[백선호]

이 영화가 나올 때 쯤에 도입되었으니 오래되긴 했네요. 1990년대 중반에는 중국, 러시아도 이제 다른 나라들과 사이 좋게 지내고 군비경쟁은 없다고 (지금 보면 아주 안일하게) 생각했는데 말이죠.

[위종민]

아.. 중경삼림 ㅎㅎ 저게 나올 때만 해도 국민학생이었는데 ㅜㅜ