DCS World third party developer RAZBAM has made a few waves since they secured a relationship with the Armée de l’Air (AdA). The AdA was using their M-2000C module on DCS World for cheaper high availability training and has had input into making the jet more realistic. Now word is that the partnership will open the door to other aircraft including the 2000-5 and maybe even the Rafael.
What have we learned?
RAZBAM shared a video to a post by the AdA talking about how they are using tools such as DCS World and the Mirage for training their pilots. The video is in french but I was able to drag out enough of my French language skills to read the subtitles and gather that they are pleased with the model put in place by one of their squadrons and now they want to expand.
The 2000-5 variant of the Mirage delta wing fighter seems like a near certainty with a slightly less certain 2020 release date. The AdA is also keen to maintain the current model so that a consumer level product is also developed.
Apparently they are also thinking about the Rafale which, if done, would likely come quite a ways down the road. With the greatest issue being licensing and access to information, it seems logical that RAZBAM could potentially access needed information doled out by the AdA in an official capacity – no doubt with an air to secrecy and security in place.
There’s a lot of questions and unknowns but this is certainly an interesting development.
What would the Mirage 2000-5 bring to the table?
The M-2000C is a hot little fighter but it has some key deficits when it fights against the other 4th gen fighters in DCS World. The -5 would rectify a number of them with things like added Link 16 datalink support and the introduction of the MICA IR and Radar guided missiles. MICA is a seriously impressive missile and the -5 can carry 6 of them along with three fuel tanks.
With greater range and active radar (or IR) capability, the MICA is far in advance of the Super 530D and Magic missiles that the 2000-C can carry. The Mirage 2000 would become a more capable contender.
There are no doubt other differences and changes to things like the cockpit but this gives a sense of how the Mirage 2000-5 would shake things up for DCS World combat scenarios and give fans of the Mirage quite a capable platform.
I hope we see it someday!
Update from Decoy
RAZBAM’s Decoy has been active on the company’s Discord channel and wrote a few updates from the team:
We haven’t stated the 2000-5 is for ada!
That’s a rumour I would ignore TBH 😉We still want to create a -5. But at the moment guys we wont to finish the modules we have out hence why we have Leonardo here….to help zues with the coding
Decoy on the RAZBAM Discord
Though not an outright dismissal it does suggest that RAZBAM’s focus in the near term is still on developing their current modules. That doesn’t discount what we’re learning above nor what the team has been teasing but it does show that their communications for now and a lot of effort is still being put into their current slate of modules – something they have been criticized for in the past.
Decoy also mentions that the new re-textured and rejuvenated M2000C cockpit will be breaking cover in one of their next updates. Their re-textured AV-8B cockpit was an incredible step forward for that module and I hope for the same with the Mirage.
Stormbirds 
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