Russia’s state defense conglomerate Rostec claims that the French Mirage 2000 fighter jets delivered to Ukraine will not be deployed to the front lines but will instead remain in rear positions for air defense missions.
"Like the F-16 fleet, the Mirage 2000s provided by France will only operate deep in the rear, tasked with intercepting Russian cruise missiles and long-range drones," a Rostec official told Russian news agency TASS on February 6.
The official asserted that any Mirage 2000 deployed near the front lines for dogfights or ground attack missions would be quickly shot down by Russian forces.
"These are outdated fighters. Even if armed with Storm Shadow cruise missiles, they provide no real advantage over Ukraine’s Soviet-era Su-24 bombers, which have already been modified to carry such weapons," the official added.
Neither the Russian Ministry of Defense nor the Ukrainian military has commented on the statement.
France Delivers First Mirage 2000s to Ukraine
On February 6, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed that France had delivered the first batch of Mirage 2000 jets to Ukraine but did not disclose the exact number.
Reports from French media last year suggested that the initial batch would include three jets, scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2025. Ukrainian pilots and technicians completed a six-month training program in France in December 2024.
According to France’s 2024 defense budget, the French Air Force has 26 Mirage 2000-5 fighters, and six of them are expected to be transferred to Ukraine. The French Ministry of Defense has neither confirmed nor denied this information.
Capabilities of the Mirage 2000-5
The Mirage 2000, a single-engine multirole fighter developed by Dassault Aviation, has been in service since the 1980s.
- Length: 14 meters
- Wingspan: 9 meters
- Ceiling: 15 km
- Maximum speed: 2,700 km/h
- Weapon payload: 6.3 tons across 9 hardpoints
The Mirage 2000-5 variant has enhanced radar, upgraded avionics, and expanded compatibility with guided munitions, making it more capable than earlier versions.
Ukraine’s Shifting Perspective on Mirage 2000
In September 2023, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat dismissed the Mirage 2000, stating that "Mirage is an outdated fighter. France has better aircraft, and so does Europe."
However, recent statements from Ukrainian officials suggest a change in stance. Given the heavy losses sustained by Ukraine’s air force, the Mirage 2000 is now seen as a valuable addition to its dwindling fleet.
Ukraine’s current inventory reportedly consists of:
- Dozens of aging Su-24 bombers
- MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters
Ukraine also received its first Western-supplied F-16s in August 2024 but lost one in its first combat mission. So far, the F-16s have been used primarily in rear positions for defense against Russian missiles and drones, rather than direct engagements with Russian jets.
(Sources: TASS, AFP)
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