Mirage 2000-5f jets to bolster Ukraine defense against Russia
French media report that the first Mirage 2000 fighter jets will soon arrive in Ukraine. These aircraft should significantly bolster the defenders' army, especially since these will be Mirage 2000-5F variants specially modified for the ongoing war.
According to the French daily "Sud Ouest," Ukraine will receive the first Mirage 2000-5F jets (exact numbers unknown) before the end of this year. In June, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the preparation of these aircraft for the Ukrainian army. They will complement other Western fighters used by the Ukrainians, namely the F-16, which began deliveries in August.
Mirage 2000-5F for Ukraine. They will be modified
The Mirage 2000 is a single-engine multirole fighter with a delta wing. It measures over 49 feet in length and 30 feet in wingspan. It was produced by the Dassault Aviation group from 1978 to 2007. The Mirage 2000-5F is one of the significant modernizations, carried out in 1991. It features an upgraded cockpit and better weapon systems, and it is compatible with a wide range of air-to-air weapons.
These modifications by the French (at the Cazaux base) will be aimed at the Ukrainian army. The Mirage 2000-5Fs given to them will also be adapted for air-to-ground weapons. This way, they will perform better in the war against Russia, more effectively destroy invader positions, and provide thoughtful support for the F-16 fighters.
The Ukrainian portal Defence Express notes that such changes should not be very complex to implement because some other variants of the Mirage 2000 have previously been adapted for weapons that can strike ground targets.
There is no confirmed information about the specific weapons the Mirage 2000-5Fs prepared for Ukraine may carry. Unofficially, Ukrainian media suggest they might include AASM bombs, which the Ukrainians use effectively, and even SCALP-EG cruise missiles. The latter are over 16 feet long and weigh about 2,900 pounds, with around 1,000 pounds allocated to the BROACH (Bomb Royal Ordnance Augmented Charge) warhead.
