French media report that some Mirage 2000-5F fighters, intended for transfer to Ukraine, will undergo modernization. The plan is to upgrade these aircraft to enable them to strike ground targets.
According to “Militarny,” this version of the French aircraft was initially designed to carry a wide range of “air-to-air” guided weapons and was not used with “air-to-ground” munitions during its service. However, Ukraine has a pressing need for multifunctional combat aircraft that can engage not only air targets but also strike enemy ground positions. Therefore, France has decided to make some modifications to a portion of the Mirage 2000-5F fighters it has committed to supplying Ukraine as part of future military aid packages.
The first reports that France intended to transfer Mirage 2000-5F fighters to Ukraine surfaced at the beginning of the summer. This was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron, who also mentioned that France would organize a six-month training course for Ukrainian pilots.
Macron emphasized at the time that assisting Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression “means avoiding the rule of the strongest.” According to preliminary plans, the Ukrainian Air Force is expected to receive the French Mirage 2000-5F fighters by the end of 2024. This version represents a significant upgrade compared to the Mirage 2000C, featuring a cockpit with most displays replaced by large multifunctional screens and an improved aircraft interface. Additionally, it uses an updated radar for guidance and providing information to French short- and medium-range MICA missiles.
It’s currently unknown what weaponry the modernized aircraft will be able to use for ground strikes. However, a likely candidate is the French AASM guided bomb, which Ukrainian pilots have already worked with. There’s also a possibility that the Ukrainian Mirage 2000-5F fighters will be adapted to use American precision-guided bombs equipped with JDAM kits for extended range and accuracy.
The modernization will make these French fighters a significant addition to Ukraine’s fleet, which currently consists of Soviet-era combat aircraft and Western F-16 fighters.
Source: mil
