What is the rod-like object on the Dassault Mirage 2000's nose for?

Question

What is the rod-like object on the Dassault Mirage 2000's nose for?

Answer 1

Erm, no - it is NOT the pitot tube! It is actually the air to air re-fuelling probe.

Pitot probes are much smaller, and are usually situated in clusters around the nose / frontal areas of the fuselage. These probes sense dynamic / static pressure changes, which are used to calculate airspeed, altitude, etc

Answer 2

It's for in-flight refueling

Answer 3

Avrifan is generally spot on and I would have agreed with her especially after looking at the photo.  Refueling probes are seldom on the nose while pitot tubes, especially on prototypes often are.  It's easier to maneuver and recover a deflected probe than a straight approach.  Not to mention the complications to access the forward Radar Compartment.

But all research I could find indicated this is a Pitot tube.  Trust the French to be different.

Answer 4

That is the 'pitot tube'.

The in flight refuelling probe is the articulated nozzle on the right side of the aircraft, ahead of the cockpit.