France to transfer up to 20 Mirage 2000 jets to Ukraine in 2025, media says

The aircraft are being upgraded from air-policing to multi-role combat capabilities.

Oct 11, 2024 - 23:00

France to transfer up to 20 Mirage 2000 jets to Ukraine in 2025, media says

hellenic air force's dassault mirage 2000-5 illustrative haf_mirage_2000-5_-_low_pass (4)

France may send up to 20 Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets to Ukraine in 2025, as reported by Avionslegendaires.net.

The decision to supply Ukraine with Mirage 2000-5F fighters comes as part of the continued support from European countries to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities against the Russian full-scale invasion, which began over two and a half years ago. This move is expected to provide Ukraine with a new and potent tool in its efforts to repel Russian forces and protect its sovereignty.

French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu officially announced on 8 October that France will deliver the Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000-5F fighters to Ukraine in early 2025. While the exact number of aircraft remains confidential, sources cited by Avionslegendaires.net indicate that Ukraine will receive between twelve and twenty of these advanced fighter jets.

The Mirage 2000-5F aircraft are currently undergoing modifications to enhance their capabilities. According to the report, the fighters are being upgraded from their original air policing role to become multi-role combat aircraft. A key enhancement includes the ability to carry and launch SCALP-EG cruise missiles, a weapon system already in use by the Ukrainian Air Force.

Lecornu stated that the delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025, between 1 January and 30 March. In preparation for the transfer, French teams are conducting operational conversion training for Ukrainian pilots and providing advanced training for mechanics and armorers.

Avionslegendaires.net notes that it remains unclear whether the package will include any two-seat Mirage 2000B variants for training purposes.

Militarnyi notes that the Mirage 2000-5F jets were initially developed and deployed solely as air superiority fighters, without the capability to strike ground targets. However, in response to Ukraine’s urgent need for multipurpose combat aircraft, France has decided to modify some of the jets it plans to deliver, equipping them with the ability to engage ground targets.

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