BREAKING NEWS: France to Deliver First Mirage 2000-5F Fighter Jets to Ukraine by March 2025.

The first batch of Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets, donated by France to Ukraine, is expected to arrive by the end of February or the beginning of March 2025. Defense analyst Xavier Tytelman reported this information on his X account on January 5, 2025. The arrival of these advanced French combat aircraft represents a major enhancement of Ukraine's air combat capabilities, further strengthening its defense as it faces Russian air superiority.
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The Mirage 2000-5F is a French multirole fighter with advanced radar and weapon systems. France is delivering up to 12 of these aircraft to Ukraine to enhance its air capabilities in the ongoing conflict with Russia. (Picture source: Wikimedia)

French President Emmanuel Macron officially announced the donation of the French-made Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets in the summer of 2024 as part of a broader package of military aid to bolster Ukraine's defense against Russia's ongoing invasion. France has committed to delivering up to 12 Mirage 2000-5F aircraft to Ukraine, with the first units expected to arrive by the end of February or the beginning of March 2025. This move follows a growing trend of Western nations providing advanced air assets to Ukraine, including fighter jets from other NATO allies.

According to Tytelman, Ukrainian crews and maintenance technicians have completed an extensive training program in preparation for operating the Mirage 2000-5F. This training, which began in mid-2024, was essential to ensuring that Ukrainian personnel are fully equipped to operate, maintain, and repair the French fighter jets. Simultaneously, the deployment of the necessary maintenance infrastructure for the Mirage 2000-5F has already begun, ensuring that the new fighters will be sustained effectively in Ukraine’s current operational environment.

The Mirage 2000-5F starkly contrasts the Soviet-era fighter aircraft currently in service with Ukraine, such as the MiG-29 and Su-27. In terms of advanced capabilities, the Mirage 2000-5F is equipped with the Thales RDI (Radar Doppler à Impulsion) radar, a multi-mode radar system that is far more advanced than the Soviet-era radars found in MiG-29s and Su-27s. This radar offers superior long-range detection capabilities and can track multiple targets simultaneously, providing a crucial advantage in modern aerial combat against Russian aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles.

In terms of weapon systems, the Mirage 2000-5F is capable of carrying a wider range of modern Western air-to-air missiles, including the MBDA Mica missile, which offers advanced radar and infrared guidance systems. This gives the Mirage 2000-5F a distinct edge in beyond-visual-range combat, a capability that Soviet-era aircraft like the MiG-29 and Su-27 are less equipped to handle.

Another significant advantage the Mirage 2000-5F offers over its Soviet-made counterparts is enhanced situational awareness. With a modern digital cockpit and advanced avionics, Mirage 2000-5F pilots are able to process more information in real time, making faster, better-informed decisions during high-pressure combat situations. This enhanced situational awareness will be invaluable for Ukrainian pilots as they engage in fast-moving, high-stakes battles in Ukraine’s contested airspace, where countering Russian fighter jets and air defense systems is critical.

The Mirage 2000-5F is also known for its exceptional agility and performance. Lighter and more maneuverable than the heavier MiG-29 and Su-27, the Mirage 2000-5F offers Ukrainian pilots greater precision and flexibility in close combat situations. This advantage will prove vital as they face Russia's fast-moving fighter jets and complex air defense systems. Additionally, the Mirage 2000-5F has an extended operational range, allowing it to conduct deeper strikes into Russian-held territory or provide extended air cover for Ukrainian ground forces, making it more effective in various operational contexts than the MiG-29 and Su-27, which have more limited ranges.

The introduction of the Mirage 2000-5F into Ukraine’s air force is not only a boost to its aerial combat capability but also a significant shift in the balance of air power in the region. With its advanced radar, missile systems, and overall performance, the Mirage 2000-5F will give Ukraine a strategic tool to challenge Russia’s aerial dominance in the ongoing conflict. While Ukraine has already received various Western-supplied aircraft, including French-designed Mirages will further complement existing systems and improve interoperability with NATO forces, whose equipment and tactics Ukraine is increasingly adopting.

The final delivery of the Mirage 2000-5F is expected to mark another step in the growing military cooperation between France and Ukraine, cementing France's role as a key supporter of Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty. As additional Western support is expected to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities throughout 2025, the arrival of these advanced fighter jets represents a key milestone in Ukraine's efforts to strengthen its military infrastructure in the face of Russia's ongoing invasion.