France accelerates delivery of Mirage 2000 jets to Ukraine
Aside from F-16 aircraft, Ukraine is also set to receive some competitive Mirage 2000s from France. The latest reports from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicate that Paris will expedite their delivery. We present the performance of these aircraft and explain what they can offer Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelensky recently spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and thanked him for his readiness to strengthen Ukraine's air defence and expedite the delivery of Mirage 2000 aircraft. The conversation also discussed training Ukrainian brigades in France and matters related to long-range weapons. This move might be a response to the uncertainty regarding support for Ukraine from the potential future administration of 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, which originated in the 1990s, was offered to countries like Poland during the proceedings 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 popularity internationally, 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 increases 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 kilograms (rounded from 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 upgraded to a higher standard. It is possible to raise the capabilities of Ukrainian Mirage 2000 to the standard of Mirage 2000-9 or Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2, which include better electronic warfare systems, the RDY-2 radar, and modern MICA air-to-air missiles with a range of up to 80 kilometres.
Furthermore, Ukrainian Mirages will be integrated with AASM Hammer-guided bombs, which would allow them to strike targets up to 14 kilometres away, even when dropped from a low altitude. Currently, Ukraine effectively uses these bombs on modified MiG-29 aircraft.
Theoretically, there is also the option to integrate the Mirage with the MBDA Meteor missile, which has a range of 200 kilometres. This would give Ukrainian pilots equal chances in combat with aircraft such as the MiG-31. A few years ago, India was interested in such modernization for its Mirage 2000, but France dismissed the project as too complex and costly.
