France equips Ukraine with Mirage 2000 for 2025 boost
In the first quarter of 2025, Ukraine will receive not only more F-16 aircraft but also the competitive Mirage 2000. French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed that they will be equipped with new air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. We present the performance of these aircraft and explain exactly what they might be equipped with.
Information about France transferring Mirage 2000 aircraft to Ukraine has appeared since 2023, but the French Ministry of Defence has only recently confirmed the deliveries. Like the F-16A/B MLU being delivered, these aircraft are expected to undergo modifications to enhance their chances against modern Russian aircraft.
Mirage 2000 for Ukraine. Competitor to the F-16 in the famous tender of the century
According to earlier announcements, Ukraine was supposed to receive the 2000-5 version in the D variant, a strike model developed in the 1990s. It is worth noting that this variant was offered to Poland as part of the "deal of the century," which was ultimately won by the F-16.
The Mirage 2000 features a tailless design with delta wings, continuing the design trend of the Dassault company. The aircraft has gained many international clients, such as Brazil, Egypt, Greece, India, Qatar, Peru, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates, where it still serves in some cases.
This is a two-seater aircraft capable of flying supersonically at altitudes of several thousand feet, similar to the Panavia Tornado. This provides greater safety during flights in regions with active enemy air defences. The aircraft is equipped with two DEFA 554 cannons of 30 mm calibre and nine pylons with a total payload capacity of just over 6,800 kilograms (15,000 pounds) of weaponry.
Additional armaments may include SCALP-EG cruise missiles, the French equivalent of the Storm Shadow, guided bombs from the GBU family competing with JDAM, AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, and laser-guided anti-tank AS-30L missiles.
Modifications that the Mirage 2000-5 for Ukraine may receive
The modifications mentioned by Sébastien Lecornu may involve upgrading the offered aircraft to the latest export standard, namely the Mirage 2000-9 or Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2. In addition to a new electronic warfare system, this would mean the use of an RDY-2 radar or integration with new MICA air-to-air missiles with a range of up to 80 kilometres (50 miles).
Furthermore, integration of the Mirage aircraft for Ukraine with AASM Hammer-guided bombs, allowing strikes on targets up to 15 kilometres (9 miles) away during low-altitude drops, is possible. This is achievable thanks to a rocket booster providing additional propulsion to the guided bomb. Currently, Ukraine successfully uses these bombs on home-modified MiG-29 aircraft.
The second option is the integration of the Mirage 2000-5 with the MBDA Meteor very long-range air-to-air missile, capable of targeting at distances up to 200 kilometres (124 miles). India has been seeking this for their Mirage 2000 in recent years. This idea was previously rejected by the French as too complex and uneconomical, but perhaps there has been a change of opinion now.
