Article Summary: The Ukrainian Air Force has received its first batch of French Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets, bolstering its aerial capabilities. These multi-role aircraft come equipped with SCALP-EG cruise missiles, enabling long-range precision strikes against Russian targets.
Point #1 – While the Mirage 2000-5s won’t single-handedly shift the battlefield dynamics, they offer improved air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities alongside Ukraine’s newly acquired F-16s.
Point #2 – With France committing $2 billion in military aid, the delivery signals strong European support for Kyiv. The Mirages will initially focus on air defense before transitioning to offensive operations. Their performance in combat will determine their long-term impact on the war.
French Mirage 2000-5 Fighter Jets Have Arrived in Ukraine
Now, this is a welcome development unfolding in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force just received a small batch of French Mirage 2000-5 fighters. Moreover, this proven jet will have the SCALP-EG cruise missiles that can help turn the tide in the war. The Ukrainians need more deep strike capability. Currently, this is conducted mainly by drones. Unmanned craft surging deep into Russia is a welcome tactic, and they have made Vladimir Putin’s generals pay.
Still, Ukraine needs a stand-off air-launched cruise missile to supplement the capabilities of long-range uncrewed systems.
The Mirage 2000-5 fighters can also help in close air support to assist Ukrainian fighters in a jam with Russian soldiers. These warbirds can bring death from above and save friendly forces in tight situations.
France Has Taken the Initiative
French President Emmanuel Macron promised the French fighter jets last summer, saying they would come at the right time to spark the outnumbered Ukrainian ground forces. The French acted quickly to train Ukrainian pilots and ground crews by inviting them to France shortly after the announcement. The Ukrainians should be up to speed soon after adjusting to the F-16 Fighting Falcons they are flying in the war.
While the total number of Mirages going to Ukraine was not disclosed, France had earlier committed three for delivery by the first quarter of 2025. The French are likely to send about a dozen more later this year.
The Mirage 2000-5 Fighters Face a Difficult Mission Set
In the Donbas region, the fighting is often face-to-face, necessitating close air support. For long-range strikes, the Ukrainians need to eliminate Russian command and control facilities. Radar and air defenses also need to be destroyed.
Fly Them with the F-16
Coupling these warbirds with the dozens of F-16s will boost the Ukrainian Air Force, which has suffered with older Soviet-era warplanes. The friendly forces may have lost around 100 fighters in the war, so the Mirage 2000-5s are coming at the right time.
The F-16s have not engaged in much dogfighting and are mainly used for air defense roles to take out Russian cruise missiles and drones. The Mirage jets will supplement this activity, allowing the F-16s to perform more offensive operations with ground strikes.
The SCALP-EG missiles will help Ukraine in that role. France is trying to make as many as possible to send to Ukraine. The French have set aside $2 billion for weapons for Kyiv, and this is a noteworthy contribution to the war as the Europeans are sometimes criticized for not stepping up more with weapons for Ukraine.
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft pilot receives fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft, assigned to the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, over Southwest Asia Feb. 26, 2021. The F-16 is a compact, multirole fighter aircraft that delivers airpower to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joey Swafford)
More About the Mirage 2000-5s
The Mirage 2000-5s are multi-role fourth-generation fighters. The fighter is a single-engine warplane made by Dassault. They are designed for both dogfighting and close air support roles. They will work in tandem with the F-16s to give the Ukrainians more options in aerial combat.
With the Mirage firing long-range cruise missiles, the airplanes can destroy Russian radar installations to help friendly soldiers maneuver better.
Chock Full of Weapons and More Survivable with Better EW Capabilities
The Mirages will be equipped with MICA air-to-air missiles and AASM Hammer bombs. The 2000-5s have improved electronic warfare capabilities to jam and spoof enemy air defense systems. The Mirages have a delta-wing design and can fly well and maneuver at high altitudes.
The Mirage 2000-5s will likely start with basic tactics to eliminate Russian missiles. Then, they will transition to fire the SCALP-EGs at Russian ground positions. Ukrainian pilots will be tested with this multi-role combat mission, but they should pass with flying colors after training for eight months.
Mirage 2000-5.
Let’s see how the Mirage 2000-5s do in Ukraine. The low numbers right now are not enough to tip the scales, but they can do some damage with the SCALP missiles. The multi-role aspect of air-to-air combat capabilities plus air-to-surface modes are welcome. The electronic warfare improvements will also be an advantage in the skies over Ukraine.
France should be commended for pledging the fighter jets and then delivering them. The country is serious about defending Ukraine. Mirage 2000-5s will not make a huge difference in the war at this time.
Still, the SCALP missiles will bring another dimension to Ukrainian ground missions in the Donbas and perhaps even in the Kursk region, where Russia has mounted counter-attacks to retake its territory. We’ll be watching to see how the Mirage 2000-5 jets perform.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
