France limits delivery: Only six mirage fighters for Ukraine
According to the portal Opex360, France will provide Ukraine with only six Mirage 2000-5F fighters. Ukrainian media note that this is fewer than earlier unofficial reports suggested, as there was talk of Paris preparing up to 20 such aircraft for Kyiv.
"Six Mirage 2000-5F for the Armed Forces of Ukraine with a full support package," said French parliament member Franck Gilletti, as quoted by Opex360. He added that delivering these airplanes to Ukraine is greatly limited, primarily due to the pace of deliveries of new Dassault Rafale fighters intended to supplement the French army's equipment.
Mirage 2000-5F for Ukraine
The Mirage 2000-5F will be the latest Western fighters to strengthen the Ukrainian military. They will join the F-16s, whose deliveries began in August and are expected to continue in the coming months. The Mirage 2000-5F is a 1991 model, representing one of the most significant upgrades of the Mirage 2000—a multirole fighter measuring more than 15 metres in length and 9 metres in wingspan. The Mirage 2000-5F features a modernized cockpit and improved weapons systems.
These fighters are adapted for the French-British SCALP-EG/Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which have been reaching the front lines for some time. According to French assurances, such transfers will continue shortly. These cruise missiles, equipped with warheads weighing approximately 450 kilograms, are capable of striking targets several hundred kilometres away.
Ukrainians expected more
The Ukrainian agency Unian notes that this is not the first time a different number has been mentioned regarding French fighters for Ukraine. Reports from October suggested that "up to 20 Mirage 2000 aircraft" would be transferred to Ukraine. Later, experts, including analysts from Defence Express, concluded that realistically, no more than 12 such aircraft could be sent to Kyiv.
According to analysts and Franck Gilletti, the issue isn't French unwillingness, but the overall state of their combat air force. Although France is a significant NATO power, there is an increasing need to strengthen their combat aviation. As of December 31, 2023, the French air force had only 27 Mirage 2000-5F aircraft in service, many of which are actively used. Considering the pace of new Dassault Rafale deliveries, some Mirage 2000-5F will likely be used in France until 2029.
