French Mirage 2000-5F fighters destroy a dozen Houthi Shahed drones

French Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets have demonstrated their effectiveness in the fight against Shahed kamikaze drones. During a patrol in the Yemeni region, they destroyed about ten drones.

Here's What We Know

The Chief of Staff of the French Air Force, General Jerome Bellanger, announced the successful interceptions by releasing a video of one of the interceptions. He noted the high efficiency of French pilots and weapons:

"I congratulate our combat crews who have been involved in operations and have recently destroyed almost ten drones, including in the Red Sea. The quality of our weapon systems and the expertise of our crews have once again demonstrated their operational effectiveness," said Bellanger.

The general also stressed that Mirage 2000-5 and Rafale fighters are effectively fighting Shahed kamikaze drones. This is especially true for Ukrainian pilots, who have already received the first Mirage 2000-5Fs from France. In the video below, you can see what it looks like from the cockpit to shoot down a Shahed drone with a MICA air-to-air missile.

Mirage 2000-5F. Illustration: French Air Force

According to Opex360, on 9 March 2024, the French General Staff reported that fighter jets and a frigate involved in Operation ASPIDES intercepted four kamikaze drones launched by the Houthis from Yemen. The targets were heading for the French frigate Alsace. The operation involved Mirage 2000-5Fs from the 3/11 Corsica squadron based in Djibouti.

The first French Mirage 2000-5F multi-role fighters arrived in Ukraine on 6 February 2025.

Source: Jérôme Bellanger