What Are French Mirage Aircraft That Ukraine Received Capable Of?
- 11.02.2025, 16:33
The Ukrainian Armed Forces received an addition to the F-16.
France modified the Mirage 2000-5 supersonic aircraft sent to Ukraine, arming them with SCALP-EG cruise missiles.
The Charter97.org website asked the Ukrainian Armed Forces Colonel, instructor pilot and military expert Roman Svitan to tell us more about these aircraft:
— This is approximately the same aircraft as the F-16. The only thing is that the Mirage can carry mainly French weapons, but not some American ones. That is, they complement each other's platforms for dropping aerial bombs and launching missiles.
The F-16 cannot carry SCALP-EG, Storm Shadow and Hammer. It does not have a suspension for these missiles and bombs, but the Mirage can.
But the Mirage will not lift into the air or launch the same American JASSM cruise missile. Therefore, they complement each other. However, it can be said that these are the same type of aircraft.
They will be used to perform the tasks of lifting into the air and launching missiles, aerial bombs: SCALP-EG, Storm Shadow and Hammer.
Plus, they will be used as flying launchers (practically SAMs) against Russian air targets: cruise missiles and “Shaheds”. These are their main functions. By the way, they have an excellent MICA missile. About the same as the AIM-120 of the F-16.
In addition, they can use “gondolas” of electronic warfare systems, work on the ground directly with free-falling aerial bombs (as a bomber), as an attack aircraft can be used when working on ground targets with air-to-ground or air-to-ship missiles. If there are good anti-ship missiles, they can also be used in this role.
It is worth noting here that the Russians have a serious air defense system. They use it to cover their troops in the territories they control. This is a pretty serious challenge to Ukrainian aircraft. For now, we cannot enter enemy territory.
When flying “locators” appear to “put out” enemy air defense, then we will be able to enter territory controlled by the Russians and work directly on the ground. For now, we can only work as launchers for cruise missiles and gliding air bombs, as air defense systems and as flying SAMs.
The flying “locators” may appear in our country at the end of spring-beginning of summer.