Months after the delivery of the first Mirage 2000 fighters to Ukraine, a clear photo of the aircraft was released by President Volodymyr Zelensky in honor of Ukrainian Aviation Day.
The jet, now bearing Ukrainian insignia on the tail, retains the original camouflage of the French Air Force and appears unarmed but equipped with rails for MICA missiles and external fuel tanks painted in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. The aerial refueling probe has been removed, but the aircraft largely remains in its original configuration.
The Mirage 2000-5F has mainly been used for air defense but can also conduct strikes after modifications to integrate air-to-ground weapons such as SCALP-EG missiles and AASM Hammer guided bombs.
France delivered six jets in the first quarter of 2025, although one was lost in July due to a technical failure, with the pilot safely rescued. The aircraft combines good maneuverability, modern avionics, and the capacity to carry weapons already in use by Ukraine.
The transfer of the fighters is part of a military cooperation program launched in 2024 when France announced its willingness to supply Mirage 2000s to the country. The Ukrainian aircraft will undergo modifications at the Cazaux base to enhance their air-to-ground attack capabilities and electronic warfare systems, becoming an important reinforcement for Ukraine’s air fleet, although not radically changing the balance of air power in the country.
Source: The Aviationist | Photo: Instagram @zelenskyy\_official | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
