The Mirage III from French manufacturer Dassault was evaluated in 1959 and procured as a replacement for the Vampire. In addition to its excellent flight characteristics, its proximity to the manufacturer's plant and the fact that the airframes and engines were built under license in Switzerland were also factors in its favor. Introduced in 1964, the procurement of 36 Mirage IIIS fighter aircraft and two two-seater BS aircraft was completed in 1969, followed in 1970 by the 17 RS aircraft to replace the Venom MK. 1 as reconnaissance aircraft.

Thanks to its outstanding flight performance, the Mirage IIIS formed the backbone of Swiss air defense for decades as an interceptor, particularly for interception missions at up to twice the speed of sound and at high altitudes of up to 20,000 m above sea level.

During their service life, the Mirage aircraft underwent electronic and aerodynamic improvements, and as part of the "KAWEST85" combat enhancement program, the entire fleet was additionally equipped with canards, a new ejection seat, chaff and flare dispensers, various antennas and new sensors, as well as new camouflage paint for the S and DS fleet.

The 29 Mirage IIIS that were still in service in 1998 were gradually replaced by the F/A-18 Hornet by the end of 1999. The two two-seater DS and 16 RS reconnaissance aircraft were retired exactly four years later, on December 31, 2003. On this occasion, two Mirage IIIRS from Flight Squadron 10 were presented to the public in their farewell "Black & White" livery (a design that symbolically refers to the black-and-white images captured by the on-board cameras) during their final year of operation.

The official era of the elegant delta wing in the Swiss Air Force came to an end – but the legend of this powerful and reliable fighter aircraft will live on forever.

"A beautiful aircraft is one that flies well." – Marcel Dassault