The Mirage 2000 evolved from other Mirage planes which were used from 1965 to 1975. Because of the US F-15 Eagle and F-14 Tomcat, Dassault developed a twin engine air superiority fighter, Designated Mirage 4000. But a twin engine fighter would be too expensive, so Dassault searched for an alternative. It had to be a single engine, delta winged fighter. The resulting Mirage 2000 was first flown on 10th March 1978.