The Ukrainian Air Force has lost a French Mirage-2000 fighter jet due to a technical malfunction that occurred during a flight mission. According to an official statement from the Ukrainian Air Force Command on Facebook, “while performing a flight mission on a Mirage-2000 fighter jet, an aviation equipment failure occurred.”
This marks the first loss of a Mirage-2000 aircraft within the ranks of the Ukrainian Air Force (you can find a detailed article about these aircraft (at this link). The pilot, acting in accordance with established safety protocols, quickly reported the issue to the flight operations commander. He then followed proper emergency procedures and successfully ejected from the aircraft.
The Ukrainian Air Force Command reported that the pilot was swiftly located by an Air Force search and rescue team following ejection. According to the statement, the pilot is in stable condition and not in any danger. No injuries were reported on the ground either. A special commission has been appointed to investigate the incident and determine its cause.
Ukrainian forces have been operating Mirage-2000 fighter jets in combat conditions for some time, particularly to counter Russian aerial attacks. As previously reported, the jets were first used in early March to repel a massive combined strike involving drones and various types of missiles launched from air, land, and sea platforms. During that operation, a total of 261 enemy aerial threats were detected and tracked, including 67 missiles of different types and 194 strike drones and decoys.
The Mirage-2000 fighter jets designated for Ukraine underwent a modernization process. “The goal is to equip them with air-to-ground combat capabilities and to enhance their electronic warfare systems,” stated French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu prior to the aircraft transfer. According to local media reports, the upgraded jets have been outfitted with MICA air-to-air missiles, SCALP-EG cruise missiles, AASM Hammer guided bombs, and two 30mm DEFA 554 cannons.
Source: militarnyi
