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Following the Gulf War conflict, the French Air Force found the need for an aircraft specialised in precision ground attack that could:

  Operate day/night in all weathers,

  Use laser-guided weapons.

The Mirage 2000-D, derived from the Mirage 2000-N that has been in service since 1993, retains its principle advantages: automatic terrain-following and counter measures equipment. It can also carry most conventional air-to-ground armament, laser guided weapons and the Apache missile. The Mirage 2000-D has also benefited from advances in technology with the up grading of some avionic equipment (modernised Antilope 5 radar) and additional cockpit displays.

Before its ultimate replacement in about 2020 by the Rafale, the Mirage 2000-D will be developed further to include the capability to fire the Scalp EG missile and later the modular air-to-ground weapon. The Mirage 2000-D will also carry the new generation reconnaissance pod in self-contained mode. Its weapon system will develop progressively: communications protected by Saturn and data link without doubt.

From an operational viewpoint, Mirage 2000-Ds have already been employed intensively in ex-Yugoslavia alongside other NATO aircraft where they participated in strikes from the first nights.