France Gives Ukraine MICA Missiles and 30 mm Ammunition for Mirage 2000

France has given new MICA air-to-air missiles and 30 mm ammunition for Mirage 2000 fighters provided to the Ukrainian Air Force.

The Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs of France reported on this.

Mirage 2000 fighters are equipped with two integrated 30 mm DEFA 554 (GIAT 30-550 F4) automatic revolver cannons.

They use 30 mm ammunition of 30×113 mm standard with a selectable rate of fire of 1,200 or 1,800 rounds per minute.

The MICA multi-purpose guided missile was developed by MBDA to engage aerial targets both in close combat and beyond visual range.

It is produced in two main variants: MICA RF with an active radar homing and MICA IR with an infrared seeker.

The missile weighs approximately 112 kg, reaches speeds of up to Mach 4.9 (about 4,900 km/h), and can engage targets at ranges of up to 60–80 km.

The use of aircraft cannons and short-range missiles by Mirage 2000 aircraft is a practical strategy for destroying cruise missiles and Geran strike drones.

Using the cannon or relatively inexpensive munitions allows scarce and costly long-range missiles to be reserved for more challenging aerial targets.

Earlier, a Ukrainian Air Force Mirage 2000 shot down a Kh-101 cruise missile during its first combat mission.

Similar missions are also carried out by U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets in service with the Ukrainian fighter force.

To engage enemy drones and cruise missiles, they actively use the built-in six-barrel 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon and AIM-9/AIM-120 air-to-air missiles.