Greek Mirage 2000 Jet Crashes After Equipment Malfunction

A Greek Mirage 2000 fighter jet has malfunctioned during a training exercise involving simulated fight between the two aircraft of 332 Air Force Squadron.

A Greek Air Force Mirage 2000 fell in the area of Skopelos island during an exercise at Monday noon; the pilot is safe in hospital, Greek Reporter reported Monday.

The accident occurred afternoon. The aircraft were involved in a simulated fight when a malfunction in one of the planes forced the pilot to abandon by using his eject seat.

The 28-year old pilot, used his eject seat on time and fell in the sea near Skopelos safely. Navy boats and two Super Puma Helicopters of the Hellenic Air Force took off from Chios and Lemnos in order to locate and rescue the pilot. 

He was rescued transferred to 251 General Air Force Hospital for examination and treatment.

During August 2000, Greece placed a $1.1 billion order for a batch of 15 new Mirage 2000-5 Mk. 2 fighters, and had 10 existing Mirage 2000EGMs upgraded to Mirage 2000-5 Mk. 2 standard. The upgrade meant the addition of the RDY-2 radar and ICMS-3 DCS, and the ability to deploy SCALP cruise missiles and both versions of the MICA instead, an order for which was placed.