CHILEAN AIR FORCE DASSAULT MIRAGE 5M ELKANS, recently acquired from Belgium, have been used for the first time in joint operations with US Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16s deployed to the South American nation. The Mirages were operated alongside locally upgraded Northrop F-5E Tiger IIIs and controlled by the Chilean air force's sole airborne early-warning aircraft, an Israel Aircraft Industries Phalcon, dubbed the Condor. The joint exercise, with six F-16Cs from Hill AFB, took place over the desert of northern Chile, and included air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, including dissimilar air-combat and base-defence missions. Chile is receiving 20 Mirage 5Ms from Belgium, after upgrading by Sabca with new avionics.
Source: Flight International
