Ukraine aims to significantly boost its air defense capabilities and is now appealing to France for additional Mirage 2000 fighter jets. This request follows several successful operations where the Mirage 2000s have proven highly effective against Russian missile attacks.
President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the issue with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in a recent phone call. “We talked about expanding our air fleet with additional Mirage fighters,” Zelensky said after the conversation.
Ukraine is already utilizing Mirage 2000s in combat, and in March, the country witnessed the first major success with this aircraft type when a Ukrainian Mirage 2000 shot down a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile. This incident highlighted the aircraft’s strategic value in the conflict.
The first group of Ukrainian pilots completed their training on the Mirage 2000 in December 2024 after six months of intensive instruction, carried out with French assistance.
Ukraine is now expected to receive between 12 and 20 additional Mirage 2000-5F planes from France as part of military aid, but the number could potentially be increased with further agreements with the French Air and Space Force or with Greece.
Before delivery, the aircraft will undergo necessary modifications, particularly for precision strikes against ground targets. The Mirage 2000-5F model will be capable of using advanced weapon types such as the French-British SCALP EG/Storm Shadow cruise missiles and the French AASM precision bombs.
Ukraine’s call for more Mirage 2000 aircraft signals a clear prioritization of air defense and underscores the importance of international military assistance in the country’s ongoing defense against Russian aggression.
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