As part of an interview with local media, France’s Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, confirmed that the delivery of Mirage 2000 fighters to the Ukrainian Air Force will begin during the first quarter of 2025. He also mentioned that the training of pilots and mechanics is ongoing in the country, highlighting the recent completion of courses for Ukrainian personnel with Alpha Jet aircraft. Another detail pointed out by the official is that the aircraft, presumably from units retired by the French Air and Space Force, will undergo updates to improve their air-to-ground combat capabilities and electronic countermeasures.
After several rumors throughout 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed in June that France would transfer Mirage 2000 fighters to the Ukrainian Air Force, referring, according to his statements, to the Mirage 2000-5 version (an upgraded version of the Mirage 2000C). However, this claim continues to raise questions. In his interview with the portal Sud Ouest, Lecornu did not specify the version of the aircraft, although he assured that the transfer of the Mirage 2000 will begin in the first quarter of 2025, while pilot, mechanic, and crew training continues.
This issue is significant because, if it is the Mirage 2000-5, as Macron indicated earlier this year, the aircraft could currently be in service with the French Air and Space Force. Otherwise, it is possible that these are Mirage 2000C jets, retired in 2022, which makes the mention of upgrade work to enhance their air-to-ground combat capabilities and electronic countermeasures even more relevant.
This difference is not minor, as the upgraded Mirage 2000-5 features greater capabilities, thanks to its RDY pulse-Doppler mechanical scanning radar with look-down/shoot-down capability. This radar, compared to the RDM and RDI systems present in the Mirage 2000C, can track up to eight targets simultaneously and offers superior air-to-ground capability.
Ground attack capability is crucial, as France has provided Ukraine with SCALP-EG cruise missiles, used by Su-24 Fencer strike aircraft, as well as AASM HAMMER guided bombs, which have reportedly already been integrated and employed by Su-27 Flanker fighters. These bombs could be a potential armament for the Mirage jets to be delivered.
On a speculative note, Lecornu also mentioned the upgrade of the aircraft’s countermeasure and electronic warfare capabilities, suggesting that the package provided to Ukraine could include ICMS Mk 2 systems, currently equipped on French Mirage 2000-5s. However, this is not the most modern version of the system, as the ICMS Mk 3 is the definitive version for export-focused Mirages.
Finally, regarding speculation about the origin of the Mirage 2000 jets to be transferred to Ukraine, the possibility of reacquiring fighters operated by other air forces, such as those of Greece, Qatar, or even Taiwan, is also being considered. These three countries are in the process of replacing their Mirage 2000-5 fleets, which could allow for the expansion of Ukraine’s fleet or, in the worst-case scenario, serve as a source of spare parts for the aircraft transferred by France.
Photos used for illustrative purposes.
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