[Discussion] Ukrainian Air Force Unleashes French Mirage Jets in Historic Combat Debut

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Ukrainian Air Force Deploys French Mirage 2000-5F Jets in Combat for the First Time

In a significant advance for the Ukrainian Air Force, March 7, 2025, marked the maiden operational usage of Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets, first transferred from France. The aircraft was actively involved in repulsing a Russian missile attack focused on critical Ukrainian infrastructure, signifying the first recorded operational deployment of Mirage 2000-5F jets in Ukraine.

Ukrainian Forces Counter Nighttime Combined Missile and Drone Strike

On the night of the engagement, Russian forces launched a coordinated missile and drone onslaught aimed at gas extraction plants and related facilities. The Ukrainian air defenses, in response, tracked 261 flying threats that included a mix of 67 missiles and 194 drones of various types. The combined air defense mechanism, including ground-based systems and combat aircraft, led to the destruction of 134 airborne targets by the following morning. Of the total destroyed, there were 25 Kh-101/Kh-55SM cruise missiles, eight Kalibr cruise missiles, a Kh-59/69 guided missile, and 100 Shahed drones. This confrontation also saw a failed missile strike, with ten missiles not achieving their aim, while 86 unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down without an impact report.

Record of Russian Nocturnal Missiles and Drone Attacks on Ukraine

Over recent months, night attacks by Russia on Ukraine have abounded, causing widespread damage to essential facilities like energy plants, transportation systems, and populated areas. Adding to the devastation, these assaults have caused numerous civilian deaths and upended the power supply in winter, derailed essential services.

An example was the vast assault launched by Russia on August 26, 2024, deploying over 100 missile and drone units, which led to significant casualties and infrastructure damage. A similar large-scale air attack was unleashed in November that year, which resulted in numerous civilian deaths while crippling the power supply.

Boosting Air Defense with Mirage 2000-5F Jets After Suspension of U.S. Aid

The incorporation of French-supplied Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets into the Ukrainian Air Force will provide critical impetus to Ukraine's aerial defense prowess, especially in light of the recent U.S. halt on military aid, which included intelligence sharing and air defense assistance. Armed with advanced avionics and capable of deploying AASM guided bombs and SCALP cruise missiles, the Mirage 2000-5F jets will add both to Ukraine’s defensive and offensive maneuvers, potentially compensating for the diminished support from the U.S.

Official Announcements and Transfers of Mirage 2000-5F Aircraft to Ukraine

The decision to transfer Mirage 2000-5F jets to Ukraine was publicly announced on June 6, 2024, by French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron indicated France's willingness to supply Ukraine with these aircraft while offering training to 4,500 Ukrainian pilots. Later that year, in October, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed a package support for training six Mirage 2000-5F aircraft. Delivered in batches, the first three Mirage 2000-5F jets were dispatched in early 2025, with the remaining expected in the first quarter of that year.

The Mirage 2000-5F: A Significant Addition to Ukraine’s Military Aircraft Fleet

Debuting in the late 1970s as a replacement for the Mirage III and Mirage F1, the technically advanced Mirage 2000-5F—with its enhanced avionics, radar, and weapons systems—bolsters Ukraine's military aircraft fleet and complements its existing air squadron of Soviet-era aircraft and Western-supplied F-16 fighters. Special modifications made specifically for the Ukrainian models included the addition of SCALP-EG cruise missiles, AASM guided bombs, strengthening its precision strike ability, and mechanisms to counter jamming and electronic countermeasures.

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