| | | Ukraine's Air Force Gains Momentum with French Mirage 2000-5 Fighter Jets
msn.com
In a significant enhancement to Ukraine’s military capabilities, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the transfer of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force. This development, revealed during the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
“Tomorrow we will launch a new cooperation and announce the transfer of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine made by French manufacturer Dassault and train their Ukrainian pilots in France,” President Macron declared, signaling both material support and the provision of specialized training for Ukrainian forces.
The Mirage 2000-5, a multirole combat aircraft developed in the 1970s and upgraded over the years, offers a significant boost to Ukraine’s aerial capabilities. According to President Macron, the initiative also encompasses the training of 4,500 Ukrainian service personnel, a move addressing the “huge challenge” in skilling soldiers for the frontlines.
The procurement of these French-made jets comes at a time when Ukraine has been actively seeking advanced combat aircraft from its allies. President Macron did not specify the quantity of Mirages to be delivered but confirmed that pilot training is set to commence this summer, with the aim of completion by year’s end.
Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Jeffrey Fischer commented on the announcement, noting, “It’s somewhat interesting, and a break from the long-standing position of ‘only F-16s for Ukraine.’ That position was founded in maximizing the utility of a single platform. That position was founded in maximizing the utility of a single platform one training, logistics, and maintenance pipeline.”
Despite the introduction of a new aircraft type into Ukraine’s Air Force potentially complicating logistics, training, and maintenance, it’s clear from President Macron’s commitment — “We are there and we will not fail you” — that France aims to stand firmly alongside Ukraine. The decision to provide Mirage 2000-5 jets, suited for air-to-air combat, reflects a tailored response to Ukraine’s defense needs.
This decision by France to provide fighter jets follows on the heels of other Western nations’ commitments, such as the scheduled delivery of over 60 F-16 jets from Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and Belgium. However, delays, particularly in pilot training, have caused some frustration for Ukrainian officials eager to bolster their defense capabilities.
The Mirage 2000-5 is equipped with advanced avionics, including the RDY radar system, which boasts enhanced target tracking and simultaneous monitoring of multiple threats, a significant upgrade over older variants. This technical prowess is critical for Ukraine’s defense against persistent low-flying Russian cruise missiles and drones.
Moreover, the French fighter jets’ arrival could pave the way for the deployment of advanced munitions already supplied by France to Ukraine, such as the SCALP-EG cruise missile and Hammer precision-guided bomb. |
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