Military partnerships have played a crucial role in Ukraine's ongoing efforts to resist Russian aggression. Over the past year, Kyiv has relied heavily on Western-supplied equipment and training to strengthen its capabilities in both defense and long-range operations.
According to Forbes and HotNews, the first Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from France have arrived in Ukraine, providing Kyiv with a significant upgrade to its air force. These supersonic jets have been modified to carry and launch SCALP-EG cruise missiles, enhancing Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian command centers deep behind enemy lines.
Strengthening Air Power
The Mirage 2000-5 jets are part of a larger effort to modernize Ukraine’s air force, which has largely relied on aging Soviet-era aircraft since the war began. Ukrainian pilots and ground crews underwent accelerated training in France following President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge in June to supply surplus Mirage fighters.
Three of the aircraft are now operational, with French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirming their role in defending Ukrainian skies. These jets will join a growing fleet that includes around 85 F-16s donated by several NATO countries. Together, these aircraft aim to restore Ukraine’s air capabilities after heavy losses of over 100 older planes.
While F-16s primarily focus on air defense missions against Russian drones and cruise missiles, the Mirages are expected to perform ground-attack operations. French sources indicate that the aircraft have been adapted to carry both SCALP missiles and Hammer glide bombs.
Targeting Russian Vulnerabilities
The SCALP-EG missiles, capable of striking targets up to 250 kilometers away, are key to Ukraine’s strategy of targeting Russian command centers. These 2,900-kilogram bunker-penetrating missiles have already proven effective in operations around Kursk, where Ukrainian forces recently intensified attacks against Russia’s 810th Naval Infantry Brigade.
However, the effectiveness of the Mirages depends on the availability of high-performance munitions. It is unclear how many SCALP missiles Ukraine currently possesses. French and Italian authorities have committed to supplying more, though production timelines may cause delays. France has allocated $2 billion to increase its ammunition production this year, including additional SCALP missiles for Kyiv.
In the meantime, Ukraine continues developing its own long-range munitions. These domestically-produced weapons, currently being tested on older Soviet aircraft, could potentially be deployed on Mirage 2000 jets in the near future, expanding Ukraine’s strike options in the ongoing conflict.
