France has announced it will deliver upgraded Mirage 2000-5F fighters to Ukraine in the first quarter of 2025 as part of its military assistance.
+ Click here to watch the video of Mirage 2000-5 on a patrol mission
The announcement was made by the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, who also highlighted the progress in training Ukrainian pilots and ground crews for the maintenance of these aircraft.
The Mirage 2000-5F fighters, originally designed solely for air combat, are undergoing significant upgrades. Before being sent to Ukraine, the aircraft will be modified to use air-to-ground weapons and equipped with advanced electronic warfare (EW) systems, enabling them to perform multifunctional roles, both against aerial and ground targets.
France’s decision to adapt these fighters addresses Ukraine’s urgent needs as it seeks to strengthen its ability to counter Russian forces. The Mirage 2000-5F, until now used exclusively as a fighter jet, will now be able to strike ground targets, although it is still unclear which types of weapons the modified aircraft will be able to use.
Among the candidates for integration into the aircraft are French air bombs AASM, with which Ukrainian pilots already have experience, as well as high-precision American bombs equipped with JDAM kits, which could also be an option.
This initiative strengthens France’s military support for Ukraine amid the conflict with Russia, providing the country with a vital tool for air defense and ground combat.
Sources: mil.in.ua | X @SebLecornu | Video: X @EtatMajorFR. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.