France plans to increase air force capabilities of Ukraine with more Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets
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On June 24, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss joint steps in Ukraine’s defense strategy. The discussions focused on the possibility of expanding Ukraine’s air fleet with additional Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets, co-production and investment in interceptor drones, and diplomatic coordination ahead of the NATO Summit. They also addressed the introduction of tougher sanctions on Russia, with an emphasis on price caps on oil and gas. President Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s dependence on foreign decisions to strengthen air defense and expressed his expectation for concrete developments. He also thanked France for its support. The meeting came after the operational deployment of the first Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets provided by France, which had already been used to intercept Russian cruise missiles.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Mirage 2000-5Fs delivered to Ukraine have also been equipped with SCALP-EG missiles for strikes up to 250 kilometers, enabling attacks on Russian military infrastructure and logistics centers. (Picture source: French Air Force)
The delivery of Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets to Ukraine was first announced by President Macron on June 6, 2024, during a televised interview. He stated that France would deliver Mirage 2000-5Fs and train 4,500 Ukrainian pilots. French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu later confirmed in October 2024 that six aircraft would be transferred, all modified at Cazaux to perform air-to-ground missions with AASM guided bombs and SCALP cruise missiles. The aircraft were also equipped with electronic warfare systems. Pilot and mechanic training took place at Nancy Air Base using seven Mirage 2000B trainers operated by Escadron 2/3 Champagne. The first three Mirage 2000-5Fs arrived in early 2025, with the remainder delivered by the end of the first quarter. The aircraft were confirmed in combat use on March 7, 2025, during a Russian missile and drone strike, where Ukraine tracked 261 airborne threats and destroyed 134 of them, including 25 Kh-101/Kh-55SM cruise missiles and 100 Shahed drones.
President Macron mentioned in March 2025 the possibility of Ukraine receiving Mirage 2000s from “third countries that use them.” France has not excluded the idea of expanding transfers via a broader coalition, but this remains difficult due to the limited number of Mirage operators and political constraints. Qatar and the UAE are gradually phasing out their Mirage 2000s, replaced or soon to be replaced by Rafale fighters. Despite having available aircraft, their diplomatic ties with Russia reduce the likelihood of participation. Peru, Taiwan, India, and Egypt are considered unlikely contributors due to operational requirements or plans to retain or reinforce their Mirage fleets. Greece operates Mirage 2000-5s and could become a candidate, although current tensions with France over Turkey’s potential purchase of Meteor missiles from the UK have strained bilateral defense ties. Sweden has taken steps to enable potential JAS-39 Gripen deliveries, while Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway are expected to supply F-16s.
The Mirage 2000-5F was originally developed as an air superiority fighter and later upgraded with multirole capabilities. The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 2.2, an operational ceiling of 15,240 meters, and is equipped with the Thales RDY radar system for multi-target tracking and engagement. It carries MICA missiles with both infrared and electromagnetic guidance, and it was modified for Ukraine to support SCALP-EG cruise missiles and AASM Hammer bombs. Its electronic warfare suite includes the SERVAL radar warning receiver, SABRE jammer, and SPIRALE countermeasure dispensers. Ukraine’s Mirage 2000-5Fs are configured for both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. France operated 28 Mirage 2000-5Fs before the transfer, with aircraft assigned to Groupe de Chasse 1/2 Cigognes and Escadron de Chasse 3/11 Corse. The transfer to Ukraine required adjustments in the French Air and Space Force, prompting increased reliance on Rafale and Mirage 2000D aircraft and accelerating deliveries of Rafale F4s. Concerns were raised over a potential short-term reduction in France’s operational fighter availability.
The Mirage 2000-5F fighters were used by Ukraine to intercept drones and missiles during repeated large-scale Russian airstrikes. On March 7, 2025, one of the Mirage 2000-5Fs reportedly destroyed a Kh-101 cruise missile with a MICA missile during a multi-domain air defense operation. The aircraft had previously been spotted in Ukrainian airspace on March 3, 2025, in a video shared on the Telegram account Sunflower. According to Ukrainian reports, the March 7 attack involved 67 missiles and 194 drones, including cruise missiles (Kh-101, Kalibr, Kh-59), Iskander-M ballistic missiles, and Shahed UAVs. The Mirage 2000-5F’s engagement was coordinated with surface-to-air systems and other aircraft such as the F-16. The aircraft’s radar and MICA missile capabilities have also been validated in previous deployments in the Middle East, where both Rafale and Mirage 2000-5Fs had intercepted similar threats. General Jérôme Bellanger, Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force, confirmed this role in February 2025.
France’s delivery of Mirage 2000-5Fs to Ukraine was part of a broader assistance package that includes artillery, drones, air defense systems, and maintenance support. The aircraft’s radar system provides look-down/shoot-down capability. The MICA IR missile, with a range exceeding 60 kilometers, is used for fast, low-flying targets such as suicide drones. The Mirage 2000-5F has also been equipped with SCALP-EG missiles for strikes up to 250 kilometers, enabling attacks on Russian military infrastructure and logistics centers. Ukraine has set up the necessary logistics and infrastructure to sustain the aircraft. The airframe includes a single-engine delta-wing configuration powered by the M53-P2 engine. It has a fuel capacity of 3.1 tons internally and up to 4.2 tons externally, and can carry nine external stores. It features the HOTAS control system and five cockpit displays, replacing earlier analog dials. In France, the aircraft is stationed at Luxeuil-les-Bains and Djibouti and used in air policing and NATO operations.
The ongoing war has seen an increasing use of loitering munitions and cruise missiles by Russia, prompting the need for capable interceptors. The Mirage 2000-5F fills a role complementary to F-16s and legacy MiG-29 and Su-27 platforms. Its agility, digital avionics, and longer range offer an advantage over older Soviet systems. Electronic countermeasure systems such as SERVAL and SABRE increase the aircraft’s survivability in dense jamming environments. France has also committed to training Ukrainian personnel continuously, and the Mirage 2000B trainers remain assigned to pilot education. The aircraft has previously been used in operations in Libya, Syria, and the Baltic Air Policing mission. The French Air Force continues to operate Mirage 2000D and 2000-5F variants, with plans to maintain 45 Mirage aircraft alongside 180 Rafales until 2035. The Mirage 2000-5F, as of 2025, remains the last bisonic interceptor in active French service.
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On June 24, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss joint steps in Ukraine’s defense strategy. The discussions focused on the possibility of expanding Ukraine’s air fleet with additional Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets, co-production and investment in interceptor drones, and diplomatic coordination ahead of the NATO Summit. They also addressed the introduction of tougher sanctions on Russia, with an emphasis on price caps on oil and gas. President Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s dependence on foreign decisions to strengthen air defense and expressed his expectation for concrete developments. He also thanked France for its support. The meeting came after the operational deployment of the first Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets provided by France, which had already been used to intercept Russian cruise missiles.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Mirage 2000-5Fs delivered to Ukraine have also been equipped with SCALP-EG missiles for strikes up to 250 kilometers, enabling attacks on Russian military infrastructure and logistics centers. (Picture source: French Air Force)
The delivery of Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets to Ukraine was first announced by President Macron on June 6, 2024, during a televised interview. He stated that France would deliver Mirage 2000-5Fs and train 4,500 Ukrainian pilots. French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu later confirmed in October 2024 that six aircraft would be transferred, all modified at Cazaux to perform air-to-ground missions with AASM guided bombs and SCALP cruise missiles. The aircraft were also equipped with electronic warfare systems. Pilot and mechanic training took place at Nancy Air Base using seven Mirage 2000B trainers operated by Escadron 2/3 Champagne. The first three Mirage 2000-5Fs arrived in early 2025, with the remainder delivered by the end of the first quarter. The aircraft were confirmed in combat use on March 7, 2025, during a Russian missile and drone strike, where Ukraine tracked 261 airborne threats and destroyed 134 of them, including 25 Kh-101/Kh-55SM cruise missiles and 100 Shahed drones.
President Macron mentioned in March 2025 the possibility of Ukraine receiving Mirage 2000s from “third countries that use them.” France has not excluded the idea of expanding transfers via a broader coalition, but this remains difficult due to the limited number of Mirage operators and political constraints. Qatar and the UAE are gradually phasing out their Mirage 2000s, replaced or soon to be replaced by Rafale fighters. Despite having available aircraft, their diplomatic ties with Russia reduce the likelihood of participation. Peru, Taiwan, India, and Egypt are considered unlikely contributors due to operational requirements or plans to retain or reinforce their Mirage fleets. Greece operates Mirage 2000-5s and could become a candidate, although current tensions with France over Turkey’s potential purchase of Meteor missiles from the UK have strained bilateral defense ties. Sweden has taken steps to enable potential JAS-39 Gripen deliveries, while Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway are expected to supply F-16s.
The Mirage 2000-5F was originally developed as an air superiority fighter and later upgraded with multirole capabilities. The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 2.2, an operational ceiling of 15,240 meters, and is equipped with the Thales RDY radar system for multi-target tracking and engagement. It carries MICA missiles with both infrared and electromagnetic guidance, and it was modified for Ukraine to support SCALP-EG cruise missiles and AASM Hammer bombs. Its electronic warfare suite includes the SERVAL radar warning receiver, SABRE jammer, and SPIRALE countermeasure dispensers. Ukraine’s Mirage 2000-5Fs are configured for both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. France operated 28 Mirage 2000-5Fs before the transfer, with aircraft assigned to Groupe de Chasse 1/2 Cigognes and Escadron de Chasse 3/11 Corse. The transfer to Ukraine required adjustments in the French Air and Space Force, prompting increased reliance on Rafale and Mirage 2000D aircraft and accelerating deliveries of Rafale F4s. Concerns were raised over a potential short-term reduction in France’s operational fighter availability.
The Mirage 2000-5F fighters were used by Ukraine to intercept drones and missiles during repeated large-scale Russian airstrikes. On March 7, 2025, one of the Mirage 2000-5Fs reportedly destroyed a Kh-101 cruise missile with a MICA missile during a multi-domain air defense operation. The aircraft had previously been spotted in Ukrainian airspace on March 3, 2025, in a video shared on the Telegram account Sunflower. According to Ukrainian reports, the March 7 attack involved 67 missiles and 194 drones, including cruise missiles (Kh-101, Kalibr, Kh-59), Iskander-M ballistic missiles, and Shahed UAVs. The Mirage 2000-5F’s engagement was coordinated with surface-to-air systems and other aircraft such as the F-16. The aircraft’s radar and MICA missile capabilities have also been validated in previous deployments in the Middle East, where both Rafale and Mirage 2000-5Fs had intercepted similar threats. General Jérôme Bellanger, Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force, confirmed this role in February 2025.
France’s delivery of Mirage 2000-5Fs to Ukraine was part of a broader assistance package that includes artillery, drones, air defense systems, and maintenance support. The aircraft’s radar system provides look-down/shoot-down capability. The MICA IR missile, with a range exceeding 60 kilometers, is used for fast, low-flying targets such as suicide drones. The Mirage 2000-5F has also been equipped with SCALP-EG missiles for strikes up to 250 kilometers, enabling attacks on Russian military infrastructure and logistics centers. Ukraine has set up the necessary logistics and infrastructure to sustain the aircraft. The airframe includes a single-engine delta-wing configuration powered by the M53-P2 engine. It has a fuel capacity of 3.1 tons internally and up to 4.2 tons externally, and can carry nine external stores. It features the HOTAS control system and five cockpit displays, replacing earlier analog dials. In France, the aircraft is stationed at Luxeuil-les-Bains and Djibouti and used in air policing and NATO operations.
The ongoing war has seen an increasing use of loitering munitions and cruise missiles by Russia, prompting the need for capable interceptors. The Mirage 2000-5F fills a role complementary to F-16s and legacy MiG-29 and Su-27 platforms. Its agility, digital avionics, and longer range offer an advantage over older Soviet systems. Electronic countermeasure systems such as SERVAL and SABRE increase the aircraft’s survivability in dense jamming environments. France has also committed to training Ukrainian personnel continuously, and the Mirage 2000B trainers remain assigned to pilot education. The aircraft has previously been used in operations in Libya, Syria, and the Baltic Air Policing mission. The French Air Force continues to operate Mirage 2000D and 2000-5F variants, with plans to maintain 45 Mirage aircraft alongside 180 Rafales until 2035. The Mirage 2000-5F, as of 2025, remains the last bisonic interceptor in active French service.
