Kyiv, Sept. 4 - Ukraine marked a significant milestone in its ongoing defense against Russian aggression by officially unveiling the French-supplied Dassault Mirage 2000-5F fighter jet, a versatile fourth-generation multirole aircraft designed to bolster the Ukrainian Air Force’s capabilities. The arrival of these jets, first announced by French President Emmanuel Macron in June 2024, followed months of intensive training for Ukrainian pilots and technicians in France, ensuring their readiness to operate this advanced platform. The Mirage 2000-5F, originally designed for air superiority, has been modified to meet Ukraine’s operational needs, incorporating air-to-ground capabilities that allow it to deploy SCALP-EG/Storm Shadow cruise missiles and AASM Hammer guided bombs, alongside MICA air-to-air missiles and 30mm DEFA cannons. This adaptation enhances Ukraine’s ability to conduct precision strikes against ground targets and defend its airspace, addressing the critical need for modern aircraft to counter Russian aerial and ground threats. The jets, delivered with a full support package from France, retain their original French Air and Space Force camouflage but now bear Ukrainian markings, symbolizing the deepening military cooperation between Kyiv and Paris.
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The Mirage 2000-5F, developed by Dassault Aviation in the late 1970s, is a single-engine, delta-wing aircraft renowned for its agility, advanced avionics, and high maneuverability, surpassing even the American F-15 in certain aerodynamic aspects. Powered by a SNECMA M53-P2 turbofan engine, it achieves speeds up to Mach 2.2 and boasts a combat radius of approximately 920 miles with internal fuel, augmented by external fuel tanks painted in Ukraine’s blue and yellow colors. Its Thales RDY radar enables multi-target tracking at ranges up to 70 miles, while upgraded electronic warfare systems, including radar and infrared warning sensors, enhance survivability against Russian countermeasures. These features make the Mirage a formidable asset for Ukraine, capable of intercepting Russian cruise missiles and drones, as demonstrated in its first recorded combat engagement on March 7, 2025, when it successfully downed a Russian Kh-101 missile during a large-scale attack. The aircraft’s ability to integrate NATO-standard munitions, such as the SCALP-EG missile with a range exceeding 250 kilometers, provides Ukraine with a strategic edge for striking high-value targets deep in Russian-controlled territory.
The delivery of the initial batch of three to six Mirage 2000-5F jets, with France committing to supply a total of six by mid-2025, represents a critical augmentation of Ukraine’s air force, which has relied heavily on aging Soviet-era aircraft like the Su-24, Su-27, and MiG-29. While Ukraine has also received F-16 fighters from other Western allies, the Mirage’s addition diversifies its fleet, complementing the F-16s in air defense roles and the Su-24s in deep-strike missions. The jets underwent significant upgrades at France’s Cazaux Air Base, including modifications for air-to-ground operations and enhanced electronic warfare systems, tailored specifically for Ukraine’s battlefield requirements. However, integrating these advanced aircraft poses logistical challenges, as Ukraine’s maintenance infrastructure must adapt to support a heterogeneous fleet of Western and Soviet-era platforms. The loss of one Mirage 2000-5F on July 22, 2025, due to a technical malfunction over Volyn Oblast, where the pilot safely ejected, underscores the operational risks and the need for robust maintenance protocols to sustain these high-tech assets in a high-intensity conflict.
Despite these challenges, the Mirage 2000-5F’s deployment strengthens Ukraine’s aerial capabilities at a critical juncture, as Russian airstrikes continue to target civilian infrastructure and military positions. The aircraft’s versatility allows it to perform a range of missions, from intercepting aerial threats to conducting precision strikes, enhancing Ukraine’s ability to counter Russia’s numerical advantage in air forces. France’s commitment to supplying additional jets, potentially up to 15 or 20, signals a long-term investment in Ukraine’s defense, with the Mirage serving as a bridge until more advanced platforms like the Dassault Rafale fully replace it in French service by 2030. For Ukraine, the Mirage 2000-5F not only boosts its operational capacity but also symbolizes the growing solidarity of NATO allies, providing Kyiv with the tools to defend its skies and project power against an increasingly aggressive adversary. As the Ukrainian Air Force continues to integrate these jets, their impact on the battlefield will likely shape future defense strategies and procurement decisions, reinforcing the importance of Western military aid in Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty.
