Belgium’s Multi-Role Mirages

Gen Michel Mandl (ret’d), former Chief of Staff of the Belgian Air Force and a Mirage 5 pilot, recounts the type’s service with the air arm, which included helping British preparations for the Falklands War

In 1963, Belgium ordered 112 Lockheed F-104 Starfighters. Yet that number of aircraft was not sufficient to re-equip the Belgian Air Force’s entire fighterbomber fleet. This was also the case for the Netherlands and both countries were forced to acquire a number of additional aircraft to replace the aging Republic F-84F Thunderstreak.

The three types of Belgian Mirage M5 B in formation: reconnaissance BR, attack BA and twin-seat BD.
Ulrich de Bruyn via author

The Dutch as well as the Norwegians took a swift decision and chose the American Northrop F-5, while the Royal Danish Air Force opted for the Swedish Saab Draken.

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