Ukrainian Armed Forces lost Mirage-2000 aircraft: equipment failed during the flight
23 July 00:01
During an evening flight on July 22, the Ukrainian Air Force lost a Mirage-2000 combat aircraft. According to preliminary data, a technical malfunction occurred during a flight mission. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
“On the evening of July 22, 2025, during a flight mission on a Mirage-2000 fighter jet, aircraft equipment failed, which the pilot reported to the flight director. He then acted competently, as is appropriate in crisis situations, and successfully ejected,” the Air Force said in an official statement.
After the ejection, a search and rescue team immediately went to the scene of the incident. The pilot was found, his condition is stable.
“There were no casualties on the ground,” the Air Force emphasized.
A special commission has now been appointed to determine the causes of the technical malfunction.
On February 6, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said that the first French Mirage 2000 fighters with Ukrainian pilots on board, who had undergone several months of training in France, had arrived in Ukraine.
It is known that the Mirage 2000-5Fs have been decommissioned by the French Air Force and modified to perform more complex tasks than before. In total, Ukraine is to receive about ten Mirage fighters.
French specialists have reportedly modernized these aircraft to carry and fire SCALP-EG and Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Ukraine has both versions of the missiles.
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In February, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron signed an agreement on security cooperation.
The agreement between Ukraine and France provides for the allocation of 3 billion euros for defense this year, clear and principled support from Paris for Ukraine’s full membership in NATO, sanctions against Russia for the war, and accountability for the political leadership of Russia and all war criminals.
What is known about Mirage 2000-5
The Mirage 2000-5 is an upgraded version of the famous French Mirage 2000 fighter developed by Dassault Aviation. This version features improved avionics and weapons, which makes it effective both for gaining air superiority and for striking ground targets.
Main characteristics of the Mirage 2000-5:
- Maximum speed: 2340 km/h (Mach 2.2).
- Combat radius: 1488-1550 km.
- Flight range: 3335 km.
- Practical ceiling: 18 km.
Armament:
- MICA air-to-air missiles with a range of up to 80 km (infrared and radar homing warheads).
- Exocet anti-ship missile.
- Missile for ground strikes SCALP.
- AS37 anti-radar missile.
- AASM Hammer air bombs.
These fighters are capable of performing a wide range of tasks: from air defense to precision strikes on enemy targets.
The Mirage 2000-5F is reportedly optimized for the use of SCALP-EG and Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which expands Ukraine’s capabilities.
