Media: Ukraine will receive the first batch of French modernised Mirage 2000-5F fighters as early as in January
A few months ago, French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu promised that the first batch of Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets would be delivered to Ukraine in the first quarter of 2025, and it seems that this process has already begun.
Here's What We Know
According to French publication Avions Legendaires, the Ukrainian Air Force will receive the first three Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000-5F fighters as early as January 2025.
In total, France will transfer about ten aircraft, each of which will undergo serious modernisation and will be able to launch not only SCALP-EG/ Storm Shadow missiles, but also JDAM-ER and SDB.
Ukrainian pilots are expected to use the Mirage 2000-5F not so much to defend their airspace, as in the case of the F-16, but to launch precision strikes against Russian occupiers' facilities.
It is reported that in just a few months, Ukrainian pilots have mastered the controls of the Mirage and are ready to perform combat missions.
Importantly, the Mirage will be the first European fighter in the service of the Ukrainian Air Force and the second Western-made model after the American F-16.
There is a possibility that the aircraft are already in Ukraine and performing training flights.
The improved Mirage 2000-5F has the following characteristics:
- maximum speed - 2,336 km/h;
- combat radius - up to 1,550 kilometres;
- armament - MICA air-to-air missiles, JDAM-ER, SDB bombs, laser-guided missiles;
- radar station - Thales RDY;
- suspension equipment - CLDP containers, possible integration of Damocles for precision strike.
Source: Avions Legendaires
