French support escalates: More Mirage-2000 jets for Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron, in an interview with Le Parisien, announced the possibility of providing Ukraine with additional Mirage-2000 fighter jets, reports the Ukrainian National News service. Some of these jets could come from "third countries that use them."
Macron "did not rule out" the possibility of sending additional Mirage-2000 fighter jets to Kyiv, including aircraft originating "from third countries that use them." According to UNN, France is also working to speed up the delivery of missiles and drones, which Ukraine has identified as priority military equipment needed to defend against Russian aggression.
France continues to support Ukraine
The French President emphasized that Russia is not showing a sincere desire to achieve peace and is ignoring ceasefire proposals. He also called for a united effort by Ukraine's allies and the United States to pressure Russia into agreeing to a ceasefire. Macron is also seeking to convince European Union countries to purchase weapons from European manufacturers, offering alternatives to the American Patriot and F-35 systems. Canada and Portugal are currently considering alternatives to the latter.
Recent events, such as the interception of a Russian missile by a Ukrainian Mirage-2000, have garnered significant international attention. These aircraft, which also intercept Russian drones, have reminded the world of their effectiveness and capabilities on the battlefield.
It is worth noting that the Dassault Mirage 2000 is a single-seat, multi-role French fighter plane that debuted in 1978. Its design is based on a delta wing configuration, giving it excellent aerodynamic properties and maneuverability. The Mirage 2000 is powered by a single SNECMA M53-P2 engine, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of approximately 1,450 mph and an operational ceiling of around 55,774 feet.
The Mirage 2000 was designed with versatility in mind. It can carry a wide range of armaments, including air-to-air missiles such as Magic 2 and MICA, as well as air-to-ground missiles, including SCALP-EG cruise missiles and AASM guided bombs. The Mirage 2000-5 version, one of the most modern, is equipped with the RDY-2 radar, offering a range of up to 81 miles, modern avionics, and the ability to integrate with weapon systems used in newer aircraft such as the Dassault Rafale.
To date, France has decided to provide Ukraine with several Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets. These aircraft, after appropriate modifications to adapt them to the specifics of the Ukrainian theater of operations, were delivered to the Ukrainians at the beginning of 2025. In February of this year, the Ukrainian air force successfully used these aircraft to repel a massive Russian attack, shooting down Kh-101 cruise missiles, among others.
