France accelerates Mirage 2000 jets to bolster Ukraine's defences
Aside from F-16 aircraft, Ukraine is also set to receive several Mirage 2000 jets from France. Recent reports from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicate that Paris will expedite their delivery. We explore the performance of these aircraft and explain what advantages they might offer Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelensky recently spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and expressed his gratitude for the readiness to strengthen Ukraine's air defence and accelerate the delivery process of Mirage 2000 aircraft. The discussion also covered training Ukrainian brigades in France and topics related to long-range weapons. This move may be a response to the uncertainty regarding support for Ukraine from a potential future administration under Donald Trump.
Mirage 2000 - A strike complement to the F-16
Ukraine was initially set to be equipped with the 2000-5 version of the aircraft in the D variant. This strike model, developed in the 1990s, was offered to countries such as Poland during the selection process, which was ultimately won by the F-16.
The Mirage 2000 design features a tailless structure with delta wings, continuing Dassault's construction trends. The aircraft has gained international popularity, being used by countries like Brazil, Egypt, Greece, India, Qatar, Peru, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.
The Mirage 2000 is a two-seater aircraft capable of supersonic speeds at lower altitudes, which enhances safety when operating near active enemy air defences. The aircraft is armed with two DEFA 554 calibre 30 mm cannons and nine pylons with a total load capacity exceeding 5,900 kg.
These allow the deployment of SCALP-EG cruise missiles, the French version of the Storm Shadow, guided bombs like the GBU, competitive JDAMs, the AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles and laser-guided AS-30L anti-tank missiles.
Planes in a reduced version
Additionally, similar to the F-16A/B MLU, the French aircraft will also be deprived of NATO equipment such as the friend-or-foe identification system and will be upgraded to a higher standard. There is potential to enhance the capabilities of Ukrainian Mirage 2000 jets to the standard of Mirage 2000-9 or Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2, which include better electronic warfare, the RDY-2 radar, and modern MICA air-to-air missiles with a range of up to 80 km.
Furthermore, Ukrainian Mirages will be integrated with AASM Hammer-guided bombs, which would allow them to strike targets up to 15 km away, even when dropped from a low altitude. Currently, Ukraine effectively uses these bombs on modified MiG-29 aircraft.
Theoretically, it is also possible to integrate the Mirage with the MBDA Meteor missile, which has a range of 200 km. This would give Ukrainian pilots parity in combat with aircraft such as the MiG-31. A few years ago, India was interested in modernising its Mirage 2000, but France dismissed the project as too complex and costly.
