France Plans to Upgrade Mirage-2000-5s Fighter Jets Destined for Ukraine with Ground Strike Capabilities.

France has announced an enhancement of its military support to Ukraine by upgrading some of the Mirage-2000-5 fighter jets it has pledged to deliver, as reported by SudOuest. These modifications will equip the aircraft with ground strike capabilities, marking a shift from the Mirage-2000-5's traditional role as a pure interceptor, which originally did not include the use of air-to-ground munitions.
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The Mirage 2000-5F is the latest air defense version of the Mirage 2000 to be delivered to France. (Picture source: French MoD)

The upgrades are being carried out at the Cazaux air base, where the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) is celebrating its 80th anniversary. Cazaux has a long history of testing and certifying military aircraft, including various versions of the Mirage series, such as the Mirage F1, Mirage 3, and Mirage 2000, as well as the Rafale. Involvement in the modification of the Mirage-2000-5 highlights Cazaux's role in equipping military forces to meet the evolving demands of modern combat.

These enhancements reflect the changing nature of aerial combat and will enable the aircraft to undertake a range of missions beyond interception, addressing Ukraine's need for versatile fighters amid the ongoing conflict. France has already supplied Ukraine with Scalp cruise missiles and Safran AASM Hammer smart bombs, which could potentially be adapted for use with the Mirage-2000-5, further strengthening its ground strike capabilities.

On June 6, 2024, France announced the delivery of an unspecified number of Mirage 2000-5 jets to Ukraine to bolster its air defense, particularly around the Kharkiv region, which has been frequently targeted by Russian air strikes. The Mirage 2000-5, in service with the French Air Force for nearly 25 years, is less powerful than the Rafale but remains a key component of France's defense.

Although primarily designed as an interceptor, it can carry out ground attack missions, even though France itself has not used it in this role. It features a Doppler multi-target radar capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously and can fire MICA missiles at targets up to 80 kilometers away.

Currently, the Mirage 2000-5 is equipped with MICA air-to-air missiles, which can push back Russian fighter-bombers up to 100 kilometers. (Picture source: French Air Force)

France has a fleet of 26 Mirage 2000-5 jets, most of which are operated by the 1/2 Cigognes squadron based in Luxeuil. Due to the limited number of available aircraft and their importance for French military operations, supplying them to Ukraine has raised questions. An international coalition, similar to the one formed for the delivery of American F-16s, is being established to source additional aircraft from countries like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

However, some experts are skeptical about the Mirage's suitability for Ukraine's needs. Setting up logistical chains and training pilots could potentially hinder the deployment of new F-16s, which are considered more appropriate for the Ukrainian Air Force's requirements. Ukraine primarily needs long-range missiles to counter Russian aircraft operating far behind the front lines, something the Mirage 2000-5 cannot fully provide. Currently, the Mirage 2000-5 is equipped with MICA air-to-air missiles, which can push back Russian fighter-bombers up to 100 kilometers.

Despite its age, the Mirage 2000-5’s radar-guided missile technology provides a tactical advantage. Its radar system allows the missile to be guided toward the target and activates its guidance sensors only at the last moment, minimizing the enemy's chances of evasion. Combined with the Mirage's data link technology, this enables mid-flight target switching, adding an element of surprise in aerial combat.

In addition to the aircraft delivery, France has committed to training 4,500 Ukrainian military personnel, the equivalent of a brigade, which is seen as a more strategic response to Ukraine's current challenges.