PHOTOS: Libyan Mirage F-1 in Malta gets new national insignia

Photos © Paul J Harvey via Alvaro Munoz-Aycuens. Click on thumbnails above to view high resolution photos in Paul's Photostream.

A Libyan Air Force Mirage F-1ED fighter jet had its all-green roundel of the deposed Gaddafi regime replaced by the colours of Libya's National Transitional Council amid applause at Malta International Airport, where the jet was on static display as part of the recently-concluded Malta Airshow. The jet, together with another, was flown to Malta at the beginning of the Libyan revolution in February by pilots who had refused orders to attack anti-Gaddafi protesters from the air.

Related story: Mirage gets colours of liberated Libya

South African Mirage F1AZs sold to Congo-Brazzavile, Gabon

It has been reported that a total of eight ex-South African Air Force Mirage F1AZs have been sold to Congo-Brazzavile (two aircraft) Gabon (six). Two aircraft were delivered to each of the African nations in August last year, with Gabon already receiving two aircraft each in 2006 and 2007.

More Mirage F1s land in Malta

Malta seems to be the preferred destination for Mirage F1s. A pair of Armee de l'Air Mirage F1CRs have made an emergency landing in Malta after one of them encountered a hydraulic emergency after a mission over Libya. Both appear to be Mirage F1CRs with at least one aircraft configured for a reconnaissance mission.

This follows another pair of Armee de l'Air Mirage F1CRs landing in Malta after one of them ran low on fuel earlier in the week. And of course, soon after Libya's rebellion began in February, a pair of armed Libyan Mirage F1EQs arrived in Malta with two defecting pilots who have since requested asylum.

UPDATE: The pilot of the Mirage with hydraulic problems was reportedly ten minutes away from ejecting from the aircraft.

Malta refuses to trade Libyan Mirages with Dutch Lynx crew

Malta has refused to trade two Mirage F-1ED interceptors for the release of three Dutch Lynx crew captured in Libya or to act as a mediator in the Libyan conflict. The Libyan Mirages were flown to Malta in February after their pilots refused orders to attack anti-government protesters.

Libya requests return of Mirage fighters from Malta

The Libyan government has formally requested the return of two Mirage F1 fighter jets flown to Malta by defecting pilots on Monday. The pilots have requested political asylum and their case is being considered. The pilots claimed they flew to Malta after being ordered to bomb fellow Libyans in Benghazi.

Malta: Mirages remain property of Libya

Malta has confirmed that the pair of Mirage F-1ED fighters that landed in Malta remain property of Libya and will be returned to its owner once the situation has stabilised in the North African country. The pilots' request for asylum will also be for Malta to handle.

PHOTO: Libyan Mirage F-1ED at Malta shows off full rocket pods

(Click on thumbnail for high res image)
Two Libyan Air Force Mirage jet fighters unexpectedly flew to Malta this afternoon with their pilots claiming they escaped to Malta after having been ordered to bomb protesters who have taken control of the second city of Benghazi. The pilots told the Maltese authorities that they left from a base near Tripoli. They are being questioned by the police. The pilots initially asked for emergency clearance to land and for refuelling. (Photo by Ray Abela via Airplane Pictures)

NOTE: You can see from this view that the rocket pod carried by this Mirage F-1ED is fully loaded with rockets.

Libyan Air Force accused of bombing protesters; Mirages land in Malta

Lots of developments on the situation/protests/revolution/civil war in Libya overnight; Al-Jazeera TV has reported that the Libyan Air Force is attacking protesters on the streets with aircraft, meanwhile a couple of unusual visitors have landed at Malta's Valetta Airport in the form of a pair of rocket-armed Libyan Mirage F-1ED fighters, with reports that the pilots, both Colonels, were defecting.

France offers Iraq Mirage 18 F1s

A day after the Iraqi government approved the acquisition of 18 F-16s, France has reportedly offered Iraq 18 Dassault Mirage F1 fighters. The previous Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein operated a large of Mirage F1s during the 1980s and 1990s.

French Air Force facing capability gaps

With budget cuts looming, the Armee de l'Air will face capability gaps as a project to upgrade the Mirage 2000D is likely to be delayed. The Mirage 2000D Mid Life Upgrade was to have replaced the retiring Mirage F1 in the ELINT role.

France sends Mirage F1CR, Atlantic to Niger to locate hostages

France has deployed an Armee de l'Air Atlantic 2 Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft and a Mirage F1CR jet equipped with sensors to Niger in a bid to locate seven hostages believed to be seized by Al Qaeda in Maghreb, the terrorist organization's North African offshoot.