Ukraine Loses Mirage 2000 Fighter Jet Due to Technical Malfunction

The Ukrainian Air Force has reported the loss of a Mirage 2000 fighter jet following a technical malfunction.

According to the Air Force press service, the incident took place on July 22 during a scheduled flight mission. While in the air, the aircraft experienced a technical issue, which the pilot immediately reported to the flight control officer.

In the critical situation, the pilot acted professionally and successfully ejected. The search and rescue team quickly located the pilot, whose condition is stable. No casualties were reported on the ground.

A special commission has been established to investigate the circumstances of the aviation incident. This marks the first loss of a fighter jet of this type.

Ukraine’s Mirage-2000 Fleet

Ukraine is already deploying Mirage 2000 fighter jets in combat operations.

In March, it was reported that these aircraft participated for the first time in fighting off a combined missile and drone strike launched by Russia. During that engagement, a Ukrainian Mirage 2000 successfully intercepted and shot down a Kh-101 cruise missile.

The initial group of Ukrainian pilots and technical personnel completed their training on this multirole fighter at the end of December 2024. According to the analytical resource French Aid to Ukraine, the training program lasted six months.

As part of French military aid, Ukraine is expected to receive between 12 and 20 fighter jets. At the same time, this number could increase – potentially through additional deliveries from the reserves of the French Air and Space Forces or, for example, from Greece.

Before delivery, the aircraft underwent the necessary modernization, including adaptations for striking ground targets.

According to media reports, Ukrainian Mirage 2000-5F jets will be able to deploy precision-guided weapons – specifically the Franco-British cruise missiles SCALP EG / Storm Shadow, as well as French guided bombs AASM.

As previously reported, Ukraine aims to expand its Mirage 2000 fleet.