IAI Nesher S
Israel Aircraft Industries · Israel · first flew 1969 · fighter
The Nesher (Eagle) is Israel Aircraft Industries' reverse-engineered copy of the Dassault Mirage 5, built after France's 1967 arms embargo prevented delivery of the 50 aircraft Israel had ordered.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 15.55 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Israeli-manufactured Mirage 5 copy with Martin-Baker Mk.6 zero-zero ejection seat replacing French MB 4
- Wingtip rails sized for Shafrir AAM rather than Matra Magic — minor but distinguishing profile
- Hebrew instrument labelling and Israeli avionics suite; no external antenna for Thomson-CSF systems
Externally near-identical to the French Mirage 5. The Martin-Baker Mk.6 ejection seat head-box is slightly different in profile when the canopy is open. Wingtip launch rails are shaped for the Israeli Shafrir missile rather than the French Matra; this is the most reliable external distinguisher at normal observation distances.
Specifications
- The IAI Nesher S 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
After de Gaulle's embargo, Israel obtained Mirage 5 plans and engine specifications through a combination of Swiss intelligence contacts and French industry sources. IAI produced 51 single-seat Nesher S and 10 two-seat Nesher T aircraft, with deliveries beginning in 1971. The Nesher saw heavy combat in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, achieving a credited kill ratio of roughly 3:1. Surviving aircraft were sold to Argentina from 1978 as the Dagger.
Variants
Nesher S (single-seat fighter), Nesher T (two-seat trainer). Export designation: Dagger (Argentina).
Where you'll see it
Israeli Air Force, 1971–1981. Argentina Air Force as Dagger from 1978, seeing combat in the 1982 Falklands War.
Related aircraft
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