The "Mirage 4000" is a largerscale variant of the Mirage 2000, initially launched in 1975 as the "Delta Super Mirage" to compete with the US McDonnellDouglas F15 Eagle heavy fighter. It was privately funded and aimed at Middle Eastern users, particularly Saudis and Iraqis. Dassault considered it a viable alternative to the AA's Mirage IV bomber.