IAI Dagger A
Israel Aircraft Industries · Israel · first flew 1969 · fighter
The Dagger A is the export designation applied to the 35 IAI Nesher S single-seat fighters sold to Argentina from 1978, serving with the Argentine Air Force and seeing action in the 1982 Falklands War.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Some aircraft received 'Finger' avionics upgrade with additional fuselage blisters and revised HUD |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Argentine-operated ex-Israeli Nesher S; airframe indistinguishable from Nesher without close inspection
- Some aircraft received 'Finger' avionics upgrade with additional fuselage blisters and revised HUD
- Argentine Air Force serial applied below cockpit and on fin; blue-and-white national marking
Indistinguishable from Nesher S without national markings. Argentine aircraft wear blue-and-white roundels and the Argentine Air Force badge. 'Finger'-upgraded examples have small fairings and a new HUD post visible through the windscreen.
Specifications
- The IAI Dagger A has a length of 15.55 m (51 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.22 m (27 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 2350 km/h (1460 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Argentina purchased 35 Nesher S (Dagger A) aircraft from Israel in 1978 following Israeli retirement of the type in favour of the Kfir. The Daggers equipped Grupo 6 de Caza at Tandil. In the Falklands War of 1982 they flew low-level anti-shipping and air-superiority missions, sinking HMS Ardent and damaging several other Royal Navy ships. Eleven Daggers were lost in combat or to accidents during the conflict. Survivors underwent the 'Finger' avionics upgrade in the 1990s.
Variants
Dagger A (standard); 'Finger' upgrade (revised Israeli avionics, HUD, INS — identifiable by small fuselage blisters). Dagger B: two-seat trainers (4 aircraft, see separate entry).
Where you'll see it
Argentine Air Force Grupo 6 de Caza, 1978–1999. Combat in 1982 Falklands War.
Related aircraft
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