Ukraine - Russia Conflict
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US could deploy more nuclear weapons in response to the growing threat from Russia and China
White House aide warns of tension ahead without talks on a new arms limitation treaty
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Ukraine to receive Mirage 2000 jets after year-long speculation
Just under a year ago, BulgarianMilitary.com reported that Ukraine was set to receive Dassault Mirage 2000 fighters from France, based on French sources. This speculation turned into reality on June 6 when French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the transfer. He announced that France will be providing Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine, manufactured by Dassault, and will also take on the training of Ukrainian pilots in France.Macron’s announcement highlights an important chapter in recent history. We knew that Kyiv and Paris were engaged in discussions about French aircraft, with detailed negotiations reported as early as September after Kyiv’s official request to Paris.
Additionally, nearly six months before the French parliament debated providing fighter jets to Ukraine, French publication La Figaro broke significant news. They reported that approximately 30 Ukrainian pilots received expedited training to operate the Mirage 2000 fighters. This training was conducted at two French air bases: Mont-de-Marsan and Nancy.
The beginning
The buzz around the potential delivery of Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine started well before the discussions took off in September. Back in March 2023, Intelligence Online [IO] conducted an investigation, revealing that Ukraine hopes to receive at least 40 Mirage 2000 jets. According to the report, the potential suppliers include the United Arab Emirates [UAE], Indonesia, and Greece.At that point, the topic of providing F-16s to Ukraine was still off-limits. It was during this period that France signaled its readiness to donate Mirage 2000 fighters. However, three main criteria needed to be evaluated first: the utility and effectiveness of these jets for Ukraine’s military, the risk of escalation, and the potential impact on France’s own defense capabilities.
According to BulgarianMilitary.com, French President Emmanuel Macron had already directed the Ministry of Defense to assess the feasibility of providing combat aircraft to Ukraine at the start of 2023. It was officially confirmed by Paris that Kyiv had submitted a request for these fighter jets.
The signals from Kyiv
Earlier this year, General Mykola Oleschuk, head of the Ukrainian Air Force, suggested the Mirage 2000D could potentially be transferred to Ukraine.In a related discussion with Libération, General Kirilo Budanov, head of intelligence, highlighted his desire for France to aid Ukraine with air support. He remarked, “I hope that France will provide us with the air support we urgently need. Ukrainian pilots are among the best in the world due to their extensive combat experience. They will have no trouble adapting to this new technology. I am optimistic that the French Republic will supply us with these aircraft” [Mirage 2000D, editor’s note].
Meanwhile, Francois Le Monde argues that Ukraine might encounter challenges operating multiple types of combat aircraft. He contends that Ukraine should focus on the F-16, as the Mirage 2000D comes with additional hurdles like maintaining operational status and building the necessary infrastructure. Moreover, rigorous pilot training could take six to eight months and require support from navigators and maintenance personnel.
From Paris to Athens
Reports suggest that the UAE and Indonesia may be donating Mirage 2000 jets to Ukraine. Yet, it’s Greece that catches the eye. After French President Macron’s June 6 speech, it’s worth noting Greece’s move back in February. Greece is actively seeking funds to acquire at least six more Dassault Rafale fighters and is willing to sell its Mirage 2000 jets to raise money.Greek newspaper I Kathimeriní shared that Athens plans to sell these retired aircraft to India. The Indian Air Force [IAF], which has been looking to bolster its Mirage 2000 fleet for the past four years, expressed interest in acquiring an additional 24 units in 2021.
Right now, Athens finds itself in a favorable position. India emerges as a potential buyer for the Greek Mirages, and Macron’s speech has opened the door for a possible barter deal with an extra payment from Greece to secure the needed Rafales.
The Mirage
The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a jet fighter made by the French company Dassault Aviation. It’s a fourth-generation plane with one engine that can perform many roles. The plane is around 14.36 meters long, has a wingspan of 9.13 meters, and stands 5.2 meters tall. Its wing area is about 41 square meters, which helps it perform well in various combat situations.The Mirage 2000 uses a single SNECMA M53-P2 turbofan engine. This engine can produce up to 95.1 kN of thrust with an afterburner, allowing the plane to fly at speeds up to Mach 2.2.
The plane’s delta-wing design gives it great lift and maneuverability. It can take off with a maximum weight of 17,000 kilograms and has a combat radius of about 1,550 kilometers with extra fuel tanks. Its fly-by-wire control system makes it stable and easy to handle, even during difficult maneuvers.
Inside Mirage 2000
The Mirage 2000 is packed with high-tech systems to boost its combat performance. It has the Thales RDY-2 radar for tracking and engaging multiple targets and the SAGEM Sigma 95N for navigation. You’ll also find a heads-up display [HUD], multifunction displays [MFDs], and an advanced electronic warfare suite to protect the aircraft.The systems on the Mirage 2000 use advanced technology. This includes the ICMS Mk2 system for electronic countermeasures [ECM] and radar warnings. It also has the DAMOCLES pod for precision bombing and the Litening pod for better targeting and reconnaissance.
The Mirage 2000 is armed with many weapons to handle different missions. It can carry air-to-air missiles like the MBDA MICA and Magic II and air-to-ground bombs like the GBU-12 Paveway II and AS-30L missiles. It also has a 30mm twin-barrel cannon for close combat and ground attacks.
Air superiority missions
The Mirage 2000 is highly effective in air superiority missions. Its advanced avionics, agility, and powerful radar make it an excellent choice for gaining control of the skies. This capability is crucial for establishing air dominance in contested environments.In addition to air superiority, the Mirage 2000 excels in precision strike missions. Equipped with a variety of guided munitions, it can accurately target and destroy enemy infrastructure, command centers, and other high-value assets, minimizing collateral damage.
The aircraft is also well-suited for close air support operations. Its ability to deliver precise firepower in support of ground troops makes it invaluable in scenarios where friendly forces are engaged with enemy combatants, providing critical support to ensure mission success.
Russia probably got its first Su-57 loss! 
Once again, the cope caging did not cope enough.
Once again, the cope caging did not cope enough.
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'Spy mania': Why is Russia accusing its own physicists of treason?
Rights groups warn of state paranoia as experts on hypersonics, the science behind ultrafast missiles, have been jailed.
Does Russia even know it is at war? Seriously wtf? Where the hell is the Russian CAP? Top 3 air force in the world and they can't prevent incursions into their own airspace from the direction of the nation they are at war with!Russia probably got its first Su-57 loss!
Once again, the cope caging did not cope enough.
Sortie rate capability may be the problem. Whether this is down to cost, spares availability, fuel availability, or other factors is unknown.
Expectations: "in six years, we're planning to enter the top 10 global leaders in science!"
Reality: "we're arresting and killing our best scientists while accusing them of treason to make it look like our R&D work actually interests foreign powers, even though that's false"
Reality: "we're arresting and killing our best scientists while accusing them of treason to make it look like our R&D work actually interests foreign powers, even though that's false"
'Spy mania': Why is Russia accusing its own physicists of treason?
Rights groups warn of state paranoia as experts on hypersonics, the science behind ultrafast missiles, have been jailed.us.yahoo.com
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