France Strengthens Ukraine’s Air Power with New Mirage Fighters and Aster Missiles
French President Emmanuel Macron announced during the “Coalition of the Willing” meeting in London on Friday, October 24, that France would provide Ukraine with additional Aster missiles and new Mirage aircraft in the coming days. Without elaborating on the details of the planned supply, Macron also emphasized that France, together with several other coalition members, would “approve some additional initiatives,” adding, “It is very important to continue our efforts to support Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia.”
France had previously committed to transferring six of the 26 Mirage 2000-5 aircraft belonging to the Armée de l’air et de l’espace (French Air and Space Force) to Ukraine. So far, only three of these aircraft have been delivered, but one crashed in the Volyn region on July 22, due to a mechanical failure during a training mission. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that there were no casualties.
The Mirage 2000-5F variant is designed primarily for air superiority and air defense missions, unlike the Mirage 2000D, which specializes in ground attack. These single-engine fighters, with a maximum takeoff weight of 17.5 tons and capable of speeds exceeding Mach 2.2, underwent some upgrades for air-to-ground combat and electronic warfare defense before being transferred to Ukraine. During the modification process, the aircraft were also equipped with the capability to carry various munitions familiar to Ukraine, such as SCALP-EG/Storm Shadow cruise missiles, MICA air-to-air missiles, and AASM Hammer bombs.
Another key component of France’s new defense package, the Aster missiles, are at least as crucial as the Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter jets in strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses. Ukraine currently has two SAMP/T batteries delivered under a French-Italian initiative. These batteries include Arabel radars, command and control modules, and vertical launchers equipped with Aster 30 missiles, and have proven their effectiveness by shooting down a Russian Sukhoi fighter jet. However, Ukraine has long complained that it does not have a sufficient reserve of Aster 30 missiles to effectively use the SAMP/T systems.
According to a Bloomberg report, the Italian government will also focus on new SAMP/T air defense missiles and additional ammunition in its twelfth military aid package to Ukraine, complementing France’s Aster missile support. The Italian aid package is expected to be approved by parliament by the end of the year.