View source for Project ROSE

{{Short description|Pakistan Air Force program}}
{{Peacock|date=May 2023}}
[[File:Mirage III-5 Risszeichnung.png|thumb|300px|right|Three-view of the [[Mirage III]]E]]
'''Project ROSE''' ("'''Retrofit of Strike Element'''"<ref name="Grand Strategy">{{cite web|title=Project ROSE|url=http://www.grandestrategy.com/2013/06/the-paf-mirage-rose-upgrade.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141124014336/http://www.grandestrategy.com/2013/06/the-paf-mirage-rose-upgrade.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 November 2014|website=grandstrategy.com|publisher=Grand Strategy|accessdate=24 November 2014|date=22 June 2013}}</ref>) was a program by the [[Pakistan Air Force]] to upgrade the [[avionics]] of its aging [[Dassault Mirage III|Dassault Mirage IIIEP]] and [[Mirage 5|Mirage 5PA]] fighter jets.<ref name="Global Security">{{cite web|last1=Pike|first1=John|title=Mirage-III and Mirage 5|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/mirage-5.htm|website=global security.org|publisher=Global Security|accessdate=24 November 2014}}</ref> These aircraft were originally manufactured by [[Dassault Aviation]] in [[France]], or by the [[Government Aircraft Factories]] (GAF) in [[Australia]]. The program, based at the [[Pakistan Aeronautical Complex]], focused on upgrading the military [[avionics]] and onboard computer systems, with equipment supplied by Pakistani [[National Engineering and Scientific Commission|Margella Electronics]], French [[SAGEM]] and [[Italy|Italian]] [[SELEX Galileo|SELEX]] consortia.<ref name="Shaheen Foundation">{{cite book|last1=Sheikh, PAF|first1=Air Marshal Rashid|title=The story of the Pakistan Air Force, 1988-1998 : a battle against odds|date=2001|publisher=Shaheen Foundation|location=Pakistan|isbn=978-9698553005|page=432}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Untrained US woman lands plane safely after pilot-husband suffers stroke mid-flight |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/569141-us-woman-showcases-heroism-as-pilot-husband-collapses-mid-flight |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en}}</ref>

The program was initiated after the PAF began considering retiring or phasing out these aircraft from active service.<ref name="Grand Strategy"/> The Pakistan Air Force, which was already operating Dassault Mirage IIIs and Mirage 5s, began its procurement of second-hand Mirage fighters from [[Royal Australian Air Force|Australia]], [[Lebanese Air Force|Lebanon]], [[Libyan Air Force|Libya]], and [[Spain Air Force|Spain]] at prices reported to be within the [[Ministry of Defence (Pakistan)|Ministry of Defence]]'s budget.<ref name="PAF Falcon">{{cite web|title=Mirage-III/Mirage-5|url=http://www.paffalcons.com/gallery/mirage/index.php|website=paffalcon.com.pk|publisher=PAF Falcon|access-date=24 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924063231/http://www.paffalcons.com/gallery/mirage/index.php|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>  More than 90% of aircraft were retrofitted at the [[Pakistan Aeronautical Complex]] in [[Kamra, Pakistan|Kamra]] with the remaining being upgraded in France.<ref name="PAF Falcon"/> Between 1996 and 2000, several Mirage IIIs and Mirage 5s were bought from other countries and were upgraded under this program at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.<ref name="PAF Falcon"/>

The upgrade package included the installation of a [[Grifo radar]] with a detection range of approximately 75 km, [[Aerial refueling|in-flight refueling]] probes, and airframe overhauls to extend service life. Further considerations for upgrades were recommended but the program was eventually terminated due to the increasing cost of spare parts and the poor condition of the second-hand [[airframe]]s.<ref name="PAF Falcon"/>

==History==

===Program overview===

In the 1990s, the United States placed an economic and military [[Economic sanctions|embargo]] on Pakistan due to its [[Pakistan and its Nuclear Deterrent Program|atomic bomb program]]. During this time, the [[Indian Air Force]] began to modernize its fleet of fighter aircraft, thus putting stress on the [[Pakistan Air Force]]. Furthermore, the United States indefinitely delayed the procurement of F-16 fighter jets, which were already paid for by Pakistan. Restrictions on the Pakistan Air Force, which relied heavily on American-built infrastructure, prompted the development of solutions to maintain combat readiness.<ref name="Shaheen Foundation" />

In 1992, the Pakistan Air Force devised a strategy on increasing its self-reliance and immediately launched the ROSE program, as well as [[Project Sabre II]], which resulted in the development of the JF-17 aircraft. It was not until 1995 that [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Benazir Bhutto]] released funds to the [[Ministry of Defence (Pakistan)|MoD]] for both programs.<ref name="Shaheen Foundation" /> Although the United States raised objections to the program, the PAF procured Mirage fighters from various countries including Australia, [[Belgium Air Force|Belgium]], Lebanon, Libya, and Spain from 1992 till 2003.<ref name="Shaheen Foundation" />

[[SAGEM]] from France and [[Selex ES|SELEX]] from Italy were contracted to provide crucial consultations on military electronics and [[avionics]] in 1996. Special overhauling facilities and engineering divisions were established at the [[Pakistan Aeronautical Complex]] (PAC) in [[Kamra, Pakistan|Kamra]].<ref name="airforce-technology"/> Over 90% of the aircraft were locally retrofitted at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, and a few aircraft were upgraded in France. Under this first phase of the program, designated as ''ROSE–I'', around 33 Mirage III fighter jets, designated ''ROSE I'', were upgraded to perform [[Multirole combat aircraft|multiple mission types]] including [[air superiority]] and [[strike aircraft|strike missions]]. The ''ROSE'' upgrade was also applied to 34 Mirage 5 fighter jets for conducting [[Night vision|night operations]].<ref name="airforce-technology"/>

[[File:Pakistani Air Force Mirage III drops bombs on a target during Falcon Air Meet 2010 at Azraq Royal Jordanian Air Base.jpg|thumb|A Pakistan Air Force Mirage III fitted with the ROSE-III upgrade package drops bombs on a target during Falcon Air Meet 2010 at Azraq Royal Jordanian Air Base, Jordan]]

In 1998, Margalla Electronics, [[DESTO (Pakistan)|DESTO]], [[Global Industrial Defence Solutions|GIDS]] and [http://www.nie.gov.pk/index.html NIE] joined the program after the departure of [[SAGEM]] and [[Selex ES|SELEX]]. In the second stage of the project named ''ROSE–II'', around 20 Mirage fighter jets were upgraded and 14 aircraft were upgraded under ''ROSE–III''.<ref name="Shaheen Foundation" /> Newer Mirages bought from Australia and Belgium were in good condition with low flight hours to supplement the PAF's own fleet of 34 Mirage IIIs and 32 Mirage 5s acquired directly from France between 1967 and 1982.<ref name="Improvise and modernise, Paul Lewis, 1999">Paul Lewis "Improvise and modernise" (Date published online unknown. Published in ''[[Flight International]]'' magazine on 24/02/1999) URL: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1999/02/24/48468/improvise-and-modernise.html Retrieved: 28 June 2009</ref> The ROSE project was set up to buy as many second-hand aircraft as possible and to upgrade them with the latest avionics and other modern systems. During 1998, the Pakistan Air Force bought the entire fleet of grounded Mirage IIIs from Lebanon and upgraded them indigenously at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.<ref name="PAF Falcon" />

A project team was formed to manage the program and held review meetings frequently in both Pakistan and France where problems were discussed. The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and its technical personnel were involved with parts manufacturing and quality control. PAF test pilots validated performance of the new equipment during test flights.<ref name="airforce-technology">{{cite news|url=http://www.airforce-technology.com/features/feature68598/|title=Turning the Old Into New|last=Khan|first=Air Cdre (ret.) Azfar A.  |newspaper=Airforce Technology |date=30 Nov 2009|publisher=airforce-technology|accessdate=12 March 2010}}</ref> In 2003, the PAF bought a total of about 50 grounded Mirage 5 fighter jets from [[Libyan Air Force|Libya]] along with 150 engines still in sealed packaging and a huge quantity of spare parts.<ref name="Dawn newspaper">{{cite news|last1=From the Newspapers|title=PAF purchases Mirage jets from Libya|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/363637/paf-purchases-mirage-jets-from-libya|accessdate=24 November 2014|agency=Dawn newspaper|publisher=Dawn newspaper|date=6 July 2004}}</ref> Most of these aircraft were to be broken up for spare parts required by the Mirage fleet already in PAF service.<ref name="Dawn newspaper"/> With this purchase, the PAF became the largest operator of Dassault Mirage III/5 fighters in the world.<ref name="Dawn newspapers, 2004">{{cite news|title=Delivery of Libyan Mirages begins|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/365913/delivery-of-libyan-mirages-begins|accessdate=24 November 2014|agency=Dawn newspapers, 2004|publisher=Dawn newspapers, 2004|date=6 July 2004}}</ref>

===Mirage IIIO ROSE I===

[[File:PAF Mirage III ROSE alert scramble competition Falcon Air Meet 2010.jpg|right|thumb|A Dassault Mirage IIIO, upgraded to ROSE I standard, takes part in an alert scramble competition during the Falcon Air Meet 2010 exercise in Jordan]]
[[File:PAF Mirage III ROSE alert scramble competition Falcon Air Meet 2010 side view 2.jpg|right|thumb|The FIAR Grifo M3 radar was installed in the black nose cone of this ROSE I aircraft]]
In 1990, the PAF bought 43 Mirage IIIOs and seven Mirage IIIDs, which had been retired from the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] between 1987 and 1989. Out of the 50 Dassault Mirage III fighters received from Australia, 40 were found to be suitable for service with the PAF,<ref name="etranger p152">{{harvnb|Chenel|Liébert|Moreau|2014|page=152}}</ref> 12 of them were overhauled at [[Pakistan Aeronautical Complex|PAC]] and made operational. After being inspected, the remaining 28 were selected for upgrade under Project ROSE. 28 of the ex-Australian Dassault Mirage IIIO/D aircraft of the PAF were modified to ROSE I standard.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} The cockpit was modernized with a new [[head-up display]], new [[multi-function display]]s, and a new [[radar altimeter]].<ref name="etranger p155">{{harvnb|Chenel|Liébert|Moreau|2014|page=155}}</ref> New navigation systems, including an [[inertial navigation system]] and a [[GPS]], were also installed. A new [[radar warning receiver]] was installed.<ref name="etranger p155"/>

The FIAR [[Grifo radar#Grifo-M|Grifo M3]] multi-mode radar was installed in the second phase of the upgrade project.<ref name="flightglobal.com 24/02/99">Paul Lewis, "Building a base: Pakistan builds on the capabilities of local support for combat aircraft", ''[[Flight International]]'', published: 24 February 1999, URL: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1999/02/24/48539/building-a-base.html Retrieved: 25 September 2009</ref> It was stated that ROSE I fighters could easily be in service beyond 2010. In early 1999 it was stated that problems in "certain parameters - and errors in certain modes" had surfaced during flight trials of the Grifo M3 radar in the Mirage III, but these were later solved.<ref name="Improvise and modernise, Paul Lewis, 1999"/>

A new Italian fire-control radar, the FIAR (now SELEX Galileo) [[Grifo radar|Grifo M3]], was installed. The PAF's standard short-range air-to-air missile at the time, the [[AIM-9|AIM-9L Sidewinder]], was integrated with the Grifo M3 radar.<ref name="etranger p155"/>

The Grifo M3 was developed specifically to fit the Mirage III and has been in full operation on the Mirage III since 2001. It has a power consumption of 200 W, operates in the X-band and is compatible with [[Infrared homing|infrared-guided]], semi-active and active radar guided missiles. The circular antenna has a diameter of 47 cm. The radar has over 30 different operational air-to-air/air-to-surface mission and navigation modes. Air to air modes include Single/Dual Target Track and Track While Scan. Air to surface modes include Real Beam Map, Doppler Beam Sharpening, Sea Low/High, Ground Moving Target Indicator, Ground/Sea Moving Target Track.<ref name="auto1">[http://www.selex-sas.com/EN/Common/files/SELEX_Galileo/Products/GRIFO_FAMILY.pdf Products. Grifo family] selex-sas.com {{dead link|date=July 2023}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.aiad.it/upload/aziende/azienda_110/grifi.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2004-11-02 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041102062310/http://www.aiad.it/upload/aziende/azienda_110/grifi.pdf |archivedate=2004-11-02 }}</ref>

Other optional modes include Raid Assessment, Non Cooperative Target Identification, SAR (synthetic aperture radar) and Precision Velocity Update. Low, medium and high pulse repetition frequencies reduce effects of ground clutter. Digital adaptive pulse-compression technology, dual channel receiver, scanning coverage +/-60 degrees in both azimuth and elevation, air cooling, weighs less than 91 kg, MTBF (flight guaranteed) over 220 hours. Extensive ECCM (electronic counter-countermeasures) provisions and built-in test equipment (BITE). IFF interrogators can also be integrated.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto"/>

The [[Aerial refueling|in-flight refueling]] probes of South African origin were also installed on the upgraded Mirage III ROSE I aircraft,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3850339 |title=Mirage III |access-date=6 May 2011 }}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> stating that it is a pilot program for the induction of aerial refueling capability into the PAF.{{update inline|date=September 2022}}

===Mirage 5F ROSE II===
[[File:One JF-17 in front of two parked Mirage 5.jpg|thumb|[[Mirage 5]]s with a [[CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder]] at a PAF base, circa 2006]]

In 1996, [[SAGEM]] sold 44 surplus [[French Air Force]] Mirages (35 single-seat Mirage 5Fs and nine dual-seat Mirage IIIBEs) to the PAF. Only 34 Mirage 5Fs and six Mirage IIIBEs were intended to fly again, the others serving as spare parts sources. 20 Mirage 5Fs were overhauled and upgraded in France to ROSE II standards. In total, 29 Mirage 5Fs and six Mirage IIIBEs (respectively designated Mirage 5EF and Mirage IIIDF with the PAF) were delivered to Pakistan by air between 1999 and 2001, with five other aircraft delivered by boat to be overhauled by PAC (one single-seater crashed during an acceptance flight in France).<ref name="etranger p152" /><ref name="etranger p155" />

ROSE II Mirages are similar to ROSE I examples, but they are fitted with a navigation [[FLIR]] in place of the Grifo M3 radar. It is mounted in a pod under the nose. Moreover, a new [[inertial navigation system]] was installed, together with an encrypted radio.<ref name="etranger p155" />

===ROSE III===
14 ex-[[French Air Force]] aircraft that hadn't been upgraded to ROSE II standards were upgraded to ROSE III standards in Pakistan. In addition to the upgrades embodied in the ROSE II standard, the ROSE III modernization includes a new [[head-up display]], a new [[multi-function display]], and a Chinese-made [[radar warning receiver]].<ref name="etranger p155" /> A new PAF squadron was raised on 19 April 2007, [[No. 27 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|No. 27 Tactical Attack "Zarrar" Squadron]], to operate the Mirage 5 ROSE III fighters and specialize in night-time surface strike missions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pakistantimes.net/2007/04/20/top4.htm |title=Pakistan Times &#124; Top Story: New Fighter Squadron added to Pakistan Air Force |accessdate=2010-03-20 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707171404/http://www.pakistantimes.net/2007/04/20/top4.htm |archivedate=2007-07-07 }}</ref>

===ROSE IV===
A ROSE IV upgrade was also offered, but not taken up. It was based on the ROSE III upgrade standard, but it also included the installation of the [[Grifo radar|Grifo 3]] radar, [[AIM-9 Sidewinder|AIM-9L/M]] capacity, as well as the Dart [[targeting pod]], derived from the [[Litening]]. A [[Chaff (countermeasure)|chaff]]/[[flare]] dispenser and a [[radar warning receiver]] were also planned to be added.<ref name="etranger p155" />

==Conclusion of the program==

The ROSE program was successful and saved [[Pakistan Air Force]]'s [[financial capital]] to be spent in a huge amount on foreign exchange.<ref name=airforce-technology /> Under this program, further upgrades were considered and recommendations were made for the procurement of [[Mirage 2000]] from [[Qatar Air Force|Qatar]].<ref name="Dawn newspapers, 2003">{{cite news|last1=From the newspapers|title=New weaponry aimed at neutralizing India|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/119513/new-weaponry-aimed-at-neutralizing-india|access-date=24 November 2014|agency=Dawn newspapers|publisher=Dawn newspapers, 2003|date=11 October 2003}}</ref>

Acquisitions of Mirage 2000s from Qatar were bypassed by the [[Joint Staff Headquarters (Pakistan)|JS HQ]] when [[Indian Air Force|Indian IAF]] inducted the jets in its fleet.<ref name="Dawn newspapers, 2003"/> In 2003, the PAF bought 13 more [[Mirage III|Mirage IIIEs]] from [[Spanish Air Force|Spain]] for spares cannibalization, and unlike the Australian or Lebanese purchases, that is just what they are being used for. Their condition dictated their return to service was highly unlikely.<ref name="Dawn newspapers, 2003"/> Problems were encountered for the upgrade of the [[Mirage 5]]'s role in naval variant for the [[Pakistan Navy|Navy]]. However, this was eventually solved with the procurement of spare parts. Because of the program, the PAF gained an international reputation of expertise in maintaining and upgrading the Mirage for both air and naval versions.<ref name="PAF Falcon" />

The ROSE program provided the PAF with experience in aircraft technology and the capability to undertake similar projects in the future. The Mirage received new capabilities, thus improving its performance dramatically.<ref name=airforce-technology /> The program contributed to maintaining the operational relevance of Mirage aircraft in Pakistan’s air defense strategy.<ref name="PAF Falcon" /> The program was meant to be continued for some time after 2003, but the [[Pakistan Air Force]] had to terminate it due to a combination of high costs and aging Mirage III/5 [[airframe]]s.<ref name="Grand Strategy" />

==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist|2}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last1=Chenel |first1=Bernard |last2=Liébert |first2=Michel |last3=Moreau |first3=Eric |title=Mirage III/5/50 en service à l'étranger |date=2014 |publisher=Editions LELA Presse |location=Le Vigen, France |isbn=978-2-914017-76-3}}

==External links==
* [http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/pakistanmiragema_1.htm ClubHyper.com article - Ex-RAAF Mirages in Pakistan Air Force service, by Mustafa Aziz]
* [http://www.karachipage.com/news/Jul_04/070504.html Jang/Dawn newspaper article - Pakistan buys 50 Mirage jets, spares from Libya]

{{Dassault Mirage family}}
{{Military of Pakistan}}

[[Category:Pakistan Air Force]]
[[Category:Military projects]]
[[Category:Secret military programs]]
[[Category:Programs of the Ministry of Defence (Pakistan)]]
[[Category:Pakistan Aeronautical Complex aircraft]]