Mirage 2000 jets arrive in Ukraine, Russia ups bounty stakes
Ukraine has received the Mirage 2000 aircraft promised by France, which have immediately become a priority target on Russia's list. The Ministry of Defence in Moscow has extended the offer of a $1 million (£810,000) reward for each destroyed aircraft, previously reserved for the F-16. We explain why the Russians are so anxious about the French fighters.
The first Mirage 2000 aircraft have arrived in Ukraine, where Ukrainians have been training in France since 2023. The delivered machines are an excellent complement to the American F-16s, being more strike-oriented aircraft. They are factory-integrated with unique French guided bombs AASM Hammer and British-French Storm Shadow cruise missiles. These weapons have so far been used by Ukrainians on Soviet-era aircraft, the MiG-29 and Su-24.
It is not surprising, then, that the Russian Ministry of Defence, as reported by the associated Fighterbomber channel on Telegram, has extended the $1 million (£880,000) reward for each shoot-down of a French aircraft. The offer previously only applied to F-16A/B MLU planes.
Mirage 2000 - a complement to the F-16
Ukraine received modified 2000-5 aircraft in the D version.
The design of the Mirage 2000, developed by Dassault, is characterised by a tailless design with distinctive delta wings. This model gained international recognition, finding its way to countries such as Brazil, Egypt, and India. The aircraft also became popular in Greece, Qatar, Peru, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.
The Mirage 2000 is a two-seat, single-engine fighter that can fly at supersonic speeds at low altitudes, providing additional safety in areas saturated with enemy anti-aircraft systems. The fighter is armed with two DEFA 554 cannons with a 30mm calibre and has nine pylons with a total payload capacity of over 6,000 kilograms.
The aircraft can carry various types of armament, including SCALP-EG cruise missiles, the French version of Storm Shadow, as well as GBU guided bombs, JDAM, AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, or AS-30L laser-guided anti-tank missiles.
Modifications of the Mirage 2000
Similar to the F-16A/B MLU, the French machines were most likely delivered without NATO-restricted equipment like the identification friend-or-foe system. These French machines were likely modified to a higher standard—it is known, for example, that the Mirage 2000-9 has an enhanced electronic warfare system and RDY-2 radar, as well as MICA air-to-air missiles with a range of up to 80 kilometres.
However, the open question remains whether the aircraft delivered to Ukraine have been integrated with MBDA Meteor missiles with a range of 200 kilometres. This weapon would give the French fighters the capability to engage equally with aircraft like the MiG-31.
