French mirage fighters excel in downing Houthi drones
French Mirage 2000-5F fighters have proven effective in countering Shahed drones used by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Gen. Jérôme Bellanger, Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force, reported about ten unmanned aerial vehicles being shot down. A video surfaced online showing the moment one of the fighters attacked a designated target.
French Mirage 2000-5F fighters demonstrated high effectiveness when combating Shahed drones used by Houthi rebels in the Yemen region. According to "Militarny", the fighters shot down nearly ten such drones while patrolling the Red Sea.
French fighters vs. Shahed drones
Gen. Jérôme Bellanger, Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force, highlighted the efficiency of the Mirage 2000-5F and Rafale in combating Shahed-type kamikaze drones. He noted that the crews' experience and the quality of the weapon systems proved their operational efficiency once again.
"I congratulate our combat crews who are participating in operations and have recently destroyed nearly ten drones, including over the Red Sea. The quality of our weapon systems and the experience of our crews have once again proven their operational effectiveness," remarked Gen. Bellanger.
It's worth noting that Ukraine also uses this type of fighter aircraft. The first French Mirage 2000-5Fs arrived in Ukraine on 6th February 2025. Ukrainian pilots, who completed their training in France (French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that the pilots completed training at the end of December 2024), will now participate in the defence of Ukrainian airspace.
France plans to provide Ukraine with between twelve and twenty Mirage 2000-5F fighters as part of military aid. Before being delivered to Ukraine, these fighters will be modified to attack ground targets.
It is noteworthy that Mirage 2000-5F fighters feature a single-engine design with a distinctive delta wing. This advanced version is equipped with modern weapon systems and a cockpit. The aircraft is over 15 metres long and has a wingspan of about 9 metres. It can operate at altitudes up to 18,900 metres.
With its enhanced systems, the Mirage 2000-5F is a versatile combat tool. It can carry a wide range of armaments, including AASM guided bombs and Mica air-to-air missiles. These fighters can also be used to deliver long-range cruise missiles such as SCALP-EG and Storm Shadow. Thanks to its upgrades, the Mirage 2000-5F offers the Ukrainian military additional capabilities, strengthening their combat potential in the conflict with Russia.
