On June 6, 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the transfer of Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of 2024.

French President Macron announces transfer of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine

• Defense
• War in Ukraine

byClement Charpentreau

2024-06-06

This came as a surprise since a week prior, Sweden suspended its plan to sell Gripen C/Ds to Ukraine in order to prioritize the introduction of the F16.听

鈥淥ur partners emphasize that the simultaneous introduction of two air combat systems is very complex and that it is now necessary to focus on the entry into service of the F-16 within the Ukrainian Air Force,鈥� P氓l Jonson, the Swedish Minister of Defense, explained at the time.  

Yet, when asked about France’s decision to supply Ukraine with an additional fighter model alongside the F-16, the US Secretary of Defense expressed his approval. 

“We’re working hard to get Ukraine an F-16 capability this summer, and […] I’m optimistic that that will happen,” Austin stated. 鈥淎nd I also welcome France’s contribution because every bit helps.鈥� 

Austin underscored the importance of ensuring multiple complex systems are sustainable and interoperable for effective use in Ukraine.  

“I’m sure that, you know, once the training is complete, and once all of the coordination has been done, we’ll see some good results, but every little bit helps,” the US defense secretary concluded. 

The Mirage 2000-5 is a fighter jet developed by Dassault Aviation in the 1970s. The 2000-5 is an air superiority variant of the aircraft. The French Air and Space Force fighters, which are to be transferred to Ukraine, are well-known within NATO operations. 

The ones operated by the 1/2 Cigognes squadron are regularly deployed as part of the Baltic Air Policing mission to ensure the protection of the airspace of the three Baltic states, which have no airborne capability of their own. A few more airframes are flown by the 3/11 Corse squadron, responsible for airspace surveillance at Air Base 188 Djibouti. 

The number of Mirage jets being transferred has not been specified. However, some have questioned the relevance of France sending fighter jets to Ukraine. Indeed, France only has 26 Mirage 2000-5s at its disposal.  

Other countries, such as Greece and Qatar, operate the same variant of the fighter jet. But Greece has refused to part with its aerial combat capabilities, while Qatar appears more inclined to sell its fighters second-hand, with India recently voicing its interest. 

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• Defense

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鈥淎s of tomorrow, we will launch a pilot training and transfer program for these aircraft with the aim [of completing their training] by the end of the year,鈥� Macron explained, adding that 4,500 Ukrainian infantry soldiers would also be trained and equipped by France.

鈥淚n no case are we at war with Russia and its people,鈥� Macron added, emphasizing that the support is designed to help Ukraine protect its territory and airspace. The exact number of aircraft being transferred or their origin was not disclosed.

The Mirage 2000 is a fighter jet developed by Dassault Aviation in the 1970s. The 2000-5 is an air superiority variant of the aircraft.

Two French squadrons [1/2 Cigognes, 3/11 Corse 鈥� ed. note] are still operating the Mirage 2000-5, which should eventually be phased out and replaced by Rafale fighters. These aircraft are regularly deployed to the Baltic states as part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, meant to protect the three countries from aerial incursions and provide support in case of air emergencies since these nations have no airborne capability of their own.   

In his D-Day address, Macron also reemphasized that Ukraine has the right to strike back at Russian positions from which attacks are launched.

鈥淚f we say to the Ukrainians: ‘you cannot neutralize these Russian capabilities,’ then we tell them you can no longer defend yourself,鈥� the French president explained.

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• Defense
• War in Ukraine

byClement Charpentreau

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Doubt had long hovered over France’s transfer of Mirage 2000s to Ukraine. On March 22, 2023, the daily newspaper Le Figaro stated that around 30 Ukrainian air crewmembers were receiving accelerated training to operate Mirage 2000s. However, the French Ministry of Armed Forces denied the claims.

On September 3, 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Macron agreed to train Ukrainian pilots in France. Pilots chosen to fly the F-16 will travel to France and receive advanced training flying the Alpha Jet jet trainer. Advanced training is the last stage before receiving basic training on the F-16, also known as B-Course.

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• Defense
• War in Ukraine

byClement Charpentreau

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The initial sales contract signed in 1998 between Abu Dhabi and Paris specified that any transfer of these aircraft to a third party would require French approval in accordance with the regulations of the manufacturing country.

The Mirage 2000-9, a multirole single-seat fighter, was specifically developed for the United Arab Emirates as a variant of the Mirage 2000-5 interceptor. It boasts improved systems and is equipped with the same central computer as the Rafale, which enables it to carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

For a while, rumors circulated that France considered repurchasing the Emirati Mirage 2000-9 fighters for potential transfer to Ukraine to support its defense against Russia精东影业 invasion.

The Moroccan Air Force, which currently flies a combination of Mirage F1, Northrop F-5, and General Dynamics F-16 fighters, deemed acquiring Mirage 2000s crucial amidst heightened regional tensions. According to As-Sahifa, the urgent need prompted discussions between France and Morocco’s foreign ministers on April 10, 2024.

Ultimately, the administration of French President Emmanuel Macron is reported to have approved the transfer to Morocco in light of the broader military cooperation between France and the United Arab Emirates. This includes the latter’s acquisition of 80 Dassault Rafale fighter jets on December 3, 2021.

精东影业 sent a request for comment to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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• Defense

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In June 2023, the Indonesian government said it planned to purchase the aircraft from the Qatari Emir’s Air Force for 鈧�680 million ($732 million). The 2000-5 is an air superiority variant of the aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation in the 1970s.

The Indonesian Minister of Defense, Prabowo Subianto, defended the project, arguing that the aircraft were needed as an interim measure while awaiting the delivery of 42 Rafale jets ordered directly from Dassault Aviation. The minister claimed that the Qatari Mirage fleet still had approximately 70% of its total flight hours.听

However, the opposition criticized the plan to purchase the Mirage 2000 and pointed out the lack of long-term availability of spare parts, maintenance, and repairs for the aircraft. Per the contract, the support service guarantee was limited to three years.听

Earlier in January 2024, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, a spokesperson for the minister, revealed that the government postponed the Mirage 2000-5 order due to financial limitations. Days later, the final tranche of 18 Rafale fighters officially entered into force after the first payment for the last batch was made.听聽聽

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• Defense

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Corruption allegation ahead of Indonesia精东影业 presidential election 

A recent article published on the MSN portal suggested Subianto was involved in a corruption case related to this purchase. According to the article, the Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO), the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption monitoring body, opened an investigation into Excalibur International, a Czech company involved in the order negotiations. 

Simanjuntak has rejected the accusations and claimed that the article was an attempt to manipulate the public before the presidential election scheduled for February 14, 2024. The current defense minister is one of the candidates in the election. The incriminating article has since been taken down.听

Speaking to local news portal , Simanjuntak has announced that the Mirage 2000-5 purchase project has been altogether canceled, arguing that corruption claims were baseless. The ministry spokesperson stated that budget constraints had led to the decision to cancel the plan and that the focus will now be on modernizing the existing aircraft to maintain the country’s air capabilities.听

The Indonesian Air Force maintains a fleet comprising roughly 50 F-16 A/Bs and C/Ds, alongside approximately 10 Russian Su-27SKM and Su-30 fighters.听In addition to filling a capacity gap, the canceled Mirage order was also meant to transition Indonesian pilots between their current Russian and US aircraft and the upcoming French Rafales.

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Sources have told local news publication that the HAF leadership is considering selling the jets to India. Discussions are already underway between Greek defense authorities and their counterparts.听

Until their decommission, the fighters were operated by the 332 Squadron 鈥楬awks鈥� of the HAF 114 Combat Wing, established at Tanagra Air Base near Athens. The 18 Mirage 2000 aircraft were acquired by Greece in the late 1980s and were officially retired in January 2022 upon the arrival of the Dassault Rafale fighters. India has expressed interest in purchasing these jets to support its fleet of about 44 Mirage 2000H/I. Though the Greek fleet精东影业 planes may not all be airworthy, India would most likely cannibalize them for parts. 

What about the Hellenic Air Force Mirage 2000-5 fleet? 

The Greek Air Force is also considering the future of its newer Mirage 2000-5 aircraft, currently operated by the 331 Squadron 鈥楾heseus鈥�. The Mirage 2000-5 is a variant of the fighter aircraft, designed for air superiority.  

Kathimerini reports that, although the Greek 2000-5s have seen some upgrades made over time, they are currently encountering difficulties keeping up with contemporary network-centric operations. The implementation of Link-16 terminals, which would enhance communication with other aircraft, has been put on hold owing to concerns about cost and effectiveness. 

Making room for newer fighters 

In January 2021, the government of Greece placed an order for 18 Rafale jets from France. 12 of these were used aircraft from the French Air Force, while the remaining six were new jets built to the F3R standard. Additionally, the order included various weapons such as Exocet anti-ship missiles and SCALP cruise missiles.  

Greece’s decision to acquire these jets was fueled by escalating territorial tensions with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean. By purchasing second-hand aircraft, Greece was able to expedite the delivery of the jets. 

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• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

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A further six new Rafale jets were ordered in March 2022, and it has been announced that Greece plans to acquire up to 40 of these French jets before 2025. The sale of the Mirage 2000 jets could potentially fund additional Rafale orders. 

Greece is also set to acquire 40 Lockheed Martin F-35A fifth-generation fighters at a cost of around $8.6 billion. 

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• Defense

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According to notices on the Taiwanese Government e-Procurement System published on January 3 and 4, 2024, two contracts, one worth NT$10 million and the other NT$396k, respectively, were awarded to the French aerospace manufacturer Safran and the European missile maker MBDA. 

The deals stipulate that Safran and MBDA will supply the necessary parts from January 2024 to December 2028 at Hsinchu Air Base, with the Taiwanese Air Force (ROCAF) identified as the competent agency overseeing the fulfillment of the order.  

Although the notice did not explicitly mention the Mirage 2000-5, Hsinchu Air Base hosts the 2nd Tactical Fighter Wing of the ROCAF, flying the French fighter.  

The procurement of engine parts will support the maintenance of the SNECMA M53-P2 engine, while the missile components will help maintain the inventory of MICA and R.550 Magic air-to-air missiles employed by the Mirage 2000-5s.听

The Mirage 2000-5, a crucial asset in Taiwan’s air defense strategy

Taiwan procured the Mirage 2000-5s from France in the 1990s. Accidents over time have reduced the initial fleet of 60 aircraft to the current count of 54. Despite their age, these fighters play a crucial role in Taiwan’s air defense strategy, safeguarding the northern airspace of the island nation. 

In recent years, the Taiwanese government has noted a substantial rise in air force operations, registering a 129% increase in 2020. This notable escalation is linked to the consistent and frequent incursions of Chinese military aircraft into Taiwan精东影业 Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). 

In June 2023, Taiwan engaged Dassault Aviation, the Mirage manufacturer, to assess the potential extension of the fighters’ service life. A budget of NT$150 million (approximately $4.77 million) was allocated for the evaluation, slated for completion by July 2026. 

The evaluation focuses on nine two-seater aircraft, exploring the potential extension of their operational capabilities by an additional 20 years. The emphasis on twin-seat airframes is driven by the strategic advantage of utilizing them for both training and operational missions.听

Taiwan to assess Dassault Mirage 2000 service life extension

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2023-08-01

The island country acquired a fleet of 60 Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets in 1992, among which were 48 single-seat interceptors and 12 twin-seat trainers.  

The aircraft entered service with the ROCAF in 1997 and since then, it has represented an important component of the island精东影业 airspace sovereignty defense. However, they are now entering a later stage of their life cycle, leading to higher maintenance and repair costs compared to other ROCAF aircraft. 

Over its 26 years of service, the Mirage 2000 fleet has encountered six crashes, leading to the loss of five pilots. This 10% attrition rate for a single-engine aircraft fleet over such a lengthy period is commendable, particularly considering the high level of engagement faced by Taiwanese fighters.  

The Taiwan government has reported a significant increase in its air force activity, with a 129% jump in 2020. This surge in activity is primarily attributed to the repeated and regular intrusions of Chinese military planes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). 

Yet the most recent crash, which took place on March 14, 2022, triggered a public debate in the country about the safety of the Mirage 2000 and increasing operating costs due to the low availability of parts.  

In a briefing held on June 13, 2023, Colonel Sun Li-fang, the spokesperson for Taiwan精东影业 military, affirmed that the Mirage 2000 fleet met the 鈥榓vailability鈥� or 鈥榤ission capable鈥� standards issued by the ministry, dismissing rumors of decommissioning.  

To evaluate the possibility of extending the service life of the fighters, Taiwan has enlisted the help of their manufacturer, the French company Dassault Aviation. A budget of NT$150 million (approximately US$4.77 million) was earmarked for the evaluation, scheduled to be completed by July 2026.  

Nine two-seater aircraft are being evaluated for potential service life extension, with the aim of extending their operational capabilities by another 20 years. The decision to focus on twin-seat airframes is driven by the strategic advantage of utilizing them for both training purposes and operational missions, according to . 

That fleet would act as a stopgap solution while Taiwan is awaiting the deliveries of 66 new Lockheed Martin F-16V fighters, ordered In August 2020, to begin. The delivery of the first fighter was expected in 2023. However, due to supply chain disruptions and software problems, it was postponed to late 2024. Full delivery is still slated for 2026. 

Read more: Taiwan Mirage 2000 fighters remain operational despite concerns: ROCAF 

鈥淭he Mirage 2000-5 has a lifespan of approximately 15 more years [with the Indonesian Air Force], as it has only utilized about 30% of its total flying hours,” Prabowo stated at a press conference held at the Halim Perdanakusuma air base in Jakarta, as reported by .听

The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) had initially acquired the Mirage 2000-5, an air superiority variant of Dassault Aviation精东影业 fighter, in 1998. The fighter jet has a notional airframe life of around 5,000 hours, meaning that the Qatari aircraft have flown 1,500 flight hours on average over their 25 years of service.听

Qatar will deliver 9 single-seat and 3 double-seat aircraft to Indonesia for $797 million (鈧�733 million).听

Over the last couple of years, Qatar has amassed an impressive fighter fleet backlog, ordering 24 Dassault Rafale fighter jets, 24 Eurofighter Typhoons, and 36 Boeing F-15QA, the latter being a variant specially developed for the QEAF. 

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From one Dassault fighter to the next 

Prabowo reiterated that the acquisition of the 12 Mirage 2000-5 units from Qatar was a stopgap solution to ensure the combat readiness of the Indonesian Air Force, while several existing fighters undergo refurbishment, maintenance and repair. Also, the deliveries of Rafale jets directly ordered from Dassault Aviation are not expected before 2026.听

“While waiting for the arrival of the Rafale jets, we are in need of an interim combat fighter that we can immediately utilize,鈥� Prabowo explained.  

By 2025, the 12 Mirage 2000-5 units will be operated by the Indonesian Air Force 1st Fighter Squadron at Supadio Air Force Base in Pontianak, on the western coast of the country. 

The inclusion of the Mirage will offer Indonesian pilots and technicians the opportunity to familiarize themselves with Dassault aircraft, following their transition from Russian Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 fighters.  

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• Defense

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In a briefing held on June 13, 2023, Colonel Sun Li-fang, the spokesperson for Taiwan精东影业 military, affirmed that the Mirage 2000 fleet met the 鈥榓vailability鈥� or 鈥榤ission capable鈥� standards issued by the ministry. 

Taiwan acquired a fleet of 60 Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets in 1992. The Mirage 2000-5 is an air superiority variant of the fighter. The aircraft entered service with the ROCAF in 1997 and since then, it has represented an important component of the island精东影业 airspace sovereignty defense. 

In its 26 years of service, the fleet has registered six crashes resulting in complete loss of the aircraft, causing the death of five pilots in total.  

It is worth highlighting that achieving a 10% attrition rate over a span of 26 years for a single-engine aircraft fleet represents a commendable ratio, especially given the intense level of engagement of Taiwanese fighters. The Taiwan government said that its air force activity had jumped 129% in 2020, due to the repeated and regular intrusions of Chinese military planes into the country精东影业 air defense identification zone (ADIZ). 

Yet the most recent crash, which took place on March 14, 2022, triggered a debate in the country about the safety of the Mirage 2000 and increasing operating costs due to the low availability of parts. 

Sun Li-fang dismissed the rumors of decommissioning, saying that the 鈥榓vailability鈥� of the Mirage 2000 is not a serious problem, and the current situation can be effectively dealt with, as quoted by Taiwan精东影业 Central News Agency (CNA). 

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• Defense

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The contract is being negotiated between the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, its Qatari counterpart, and the D茅fense Conseil International (DCI), according to the French digital publication . DCI, in which the French state holds a majority share of over 50%, is primarily known for delivering training programs for French military equipment exported to foreign countries. 

The Qatar Emiri Air Force had initially acquired the Mirage 2000-5, an air superiority variant of Dassault Aviation’s fighter, in the late 1990s.  

The purchase of these 12 second-hand Mirages was approved by the Indonesian Ministry of Finance in November 2022, as reported by the Indonesian news portal . The jets will reportedly arrive in Indonesia by the end of 2023. 

Originally, the fleet of 12 Qatari fighters was intended for acquisition by the French private contractor ARES to train local naval fighter pilots. However, the deal seemingly faltered and on January 1, 2023, the company closed down.听

Indonesia plans to utilize the Mirage as a temporary solution while awaiting the deliveries of Rafale jets it directly ordered from Dassault Aviation. In February 2022, a contract for six Rafale fighters was signed. In April 2023, sources close to the matter told La Tribune that Indonesia had secured funding for another 18 Rafales along with air-to-air weaponry.  

The country aims to modernize its air force by eventually acquiring 42 Dassault Rafale fighter jets. 

The inclusion of the Mirage will offer Indonesian pilots and technicians the opportunity to familiarize themselves with Dassault aircraft, following their transition from Russian Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 fighters.