Latest news with #Mirages
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
"Interesting strike": Zelenskyy says Ukrainian forces destroyed over 40 Russian vehicles in one operation
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukrainian troops recently struck Russian positions using 400 drones simultaneously, destroying more than 40 pieces of Russian equipment. Source: Interfax-Ukraine Quote: "Recently, we had an interesting strike on them. We simultaneously launched 400 small drones. More than 40 pieces of equipment were destroyed at once. And we carried out this operation. It was carried out solely by the military, solely on the battlefield." Details: Zelenskyy emphasised that this was the first attempt at such an operation and expressed confidence that Ukraine would soon be able to demonstrate even more large-scale actions. The president also said Ukraine was developing aerial interception systems, particularly involving drones. Quote: "We understand how many [Russian aerial assets] Mirages or F-16s can shoot down in a single sortie and how many we can use simultaneously in the air. We're also advancing in drone-on-drone interceptors. We're already using them." Details: Zelenskyy said these interceptor drones have become a response to Shahed drone attacks, which Russians launch at altitudes inaccessible to Ukraine's mobile fire units. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
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First Post
25-04-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Pulwama to Pahalgam: Rafale jets with Scalp missiles give India edge over 2019 Balakot strike
Amid expectations of military action in response to the Pahalgam attack, experts have said that the presence of Rafale fighter planes equipped with Scalp missiles would allow India to perform better than it did in 2019 when India carried out airstrikes in Pakistan's Balakot read more As the Indian Ocean Region continues to shape global trade and security, India's domination of the skies above these waters will be integral to both its national interests and the broader international order. Source: Dassault Aviation Even though India has responded to acts of terror with cross-border actions previously, this time is expected to be different. Previously, India responded to an attack in Manipur in 2015 with attacks on insurgents' camps in Myanmar. In 2016, India responded to an attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri, India responded with a surgical strike against terrorists in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (POK). In 2019, India responded with an airstrike in Pakistan proper in response to the Pulwama attack. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This time, however, it is expected to be different as the Pahalgam attack as well as means to conduct any military operation are much different. For one, unlike the attacks in Manipur, Uri, or Pulwama, civilians were killed in J&K's Pahalgam. As for the means, India now has superior war machines that would enable it to finetune any shortcomings that might have been there in the 2019 response. The induction of 36 Rafale fighter planes and Scalp missiles have given India an edge. Why 2024 is not 2019 In 2019, in the absence of any advanced fighter plane, India had to rely on old warhorses Mirage 2000s and MiG-21s. While the airstrike in Balakot was conducted by Mirages by using Spice-2000 precision guided penetration bombs, the incoming Pakistan aircraft the next day were primarily intercepted by MiG-21 warplanes. In the aerial combat, India said that one of the MiG-21s shot down a Pakistani F-16, a much advanced a superior fighter plane. However, Pakistan was otherwise able to bypass Indian aerial combat patrols, airborne early warning and command systems, air defences, and utilised a window when newer Sukhoi aircraft were not in the area. That's why MiG-21s had to join the fight and do the bulk of the duties. If such a situation has to arise today, it is expected to be much different — thanks to Rafale fighters and Scalp missiles. How Rafales give India an edge Compared to Mirages and Sukhois, and even Pakistani mainstay F-16 to a good extent, French Rafales are superior in range, avionics, and armaments. They carry Scalp and meteor missiles that have better range. Coupled with newer radars and electronic warfare systems, Rafales bring an edge to India in aerial combat. Of the 36 Rafales that India has procured from France, 18 are deployed in Haryana's Ambala to take care of the Western front with Pakistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Considering the gravity of the situation, India may move Rafales deployed in the eastern sector to the Western front if the scale of the operation would demand it. However, concerns of any Chinese retaliation to help Pakistan would be considered in any such decision. In a post on X, strategic affairs analyst Abhijit Iyer-Mitra said that 36 Rafales with meteors, Scalp, and Mica missiles give India 'enough range and punch for hitting 36 ground targets while simultaneously being able to hold off all 72 PAF [Pakistani Air Force] F-16s at ranges over 250 kms'. With two fuel tanks, four Meteors, one Scalp, and Two Micas each, India would be able to deploy a total of 36 long-range air to ground missiles, 144 long-range air to air missiles, and 72 medium-range missiles. 'This is not a gauntlet the PAF will want to run. The main thing here is to avoid close range entanglements which is where the PAF comes into its own. You need to keep this beyond visual range throughout in order to fully exploit your technological advantage,' said Iyer-Mitra. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In Central India, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently holding 'Aakraman' annual exercise to hone war-waging capabilities. Scenarios of any confrontation with Pakistan are bound to be practised in the exercises.
Saudi Gazette
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Ukrainian F-16 pilot killed during combat mission, Zelenskyy confirms
KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Saturday that a 26-year-old fighter pilot, Capt. Pavlo Ivanov, was killed during a combat mission involving an F-16 fighter jet. In a statement, Zelenskyy expressed condolences to Ivanov's family and comrades, noting that the Ukrainian military is investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident. 'Our F-16s, Mirages, MiGs, and the entire combat aviation are heroically executing military missions to defend our state and support ground operations,' Zelenskyy said. He highlighted the continued role of Ukraine's Air Force in protecting the country from Russian missile and drone attacks. 'We are proud of our warriors,' he added, concluding his message with: 'Glory to Ukraine!' Details regarding the location and nature of the mission have not yet been disclosed. The incident marks the first known fatality involving Ukraine's recently deployed fleet of F-16s, which were delivered by Western allies to bolster the country's air defense against ongoing Russian aggression. — Agencies
CNN
07-02-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Ukraine gets French Mirage fighter jets, more F-16s from the Netherlands
Ukraine's air force got a boost in its fight against Russia on Thursday with the arrival of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from France, along with F-16s from the Netherlands. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed the transfer of the Mirage jets in a post on X, adding the fighters were flown by Ukrainian pilots who have been training for months in France. French President Emmanuel Macron had promised the Mirage jets to Ukraine last summer. 'The Ukrainian sky is becoming more secure!' Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said in a post on Facebook. Welcoming the arrival of 'the first French Mirage 2000 fighter jets and F-16s from the Kingdom of the Netherlands,' Umerov said: 'These modern combat aircraft have already arrived in Ukraine and will soon begin carrying out combat missions, strengthening our defense and enhancing our ability to effectively counter Russian aggression.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Macron on Thursday for 'his leadership and support.' 'France's president keeps his word, and we appreciate it,' Zelensky said in a post on X. The new fighters are expected to boost Ukrainian forces' ability to provide air cover for troops, attack ground targets, take on enemy planes, and intercept missiles. The latter role could be vital. Russia has stepped up missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, often sending dozens in one night, taxing Ukraine's air defense batteries. Last weekend, a Russian strike on a residential building in central Ukraine killed at least 14 people, emergency services said. In January, the Ukrainian Air Force reported in a Facebook post that one of its F-16 pilots had destroyed six Russian missiles in one night in December. Military aviation analyst Peter Layton at the Griffith Asia Institute said the Mirages might be best suited for the air defense role, freeing up the F-16s for other missions. Mirages can get airborne more quickly than an F-16, Layton said. 'I would have the (Mirages) standing ground alert and able to take off within a few minutes to intercept incoming cruise missiles (primary targets) and Shahed drones (secondary targets),' Layton said. Mirages could also be used to launch longer-range missiles such as the SCALP, also known as the Storm Shadow, at targets well inside Russia, said Layton, a former Royal Australian Air Force officer. CNN military analyst Cedric Leighton noted that the Mirages could provide Ukraine with another platform to attack Russia's Black Sea Fleet, as the jets can carry French-made Exocet anti-ship missiles. Ukraine needs all the help it can get in its nearly three-year long war, triggered by Russia's 2022 invasion of its neighbor. There has been no let-up in the fighting, even with US President Donald Trump having promised to reach a ceasefire quickly with his return to the White House last month. Ukraine's army continues to be pushed back on the eastern front lines, in the face of superior Russian manpower and resources. Thursday's announcements did not specify the number of fighter jets transferred from the two NATO allies to Ukraine, but the country has to date had few Western warplanes in its fleet. Ukraine received its first F-16s last summer, with Zelensky at the time thanking the Netherlands, Denmark and the United States – where the F-16s are built – for the aircraft, without saying how many were delivered. Reports since indicate two F-16s have been lost. A list of the world's combat aircraft from Flight Global shows two F-16s in Ukraine's fleet as of the beginning of this year, with 58 on order. France had 26 Mirage 2000-5s active in its air force at the beginning of 2025, according to Flight Global. The aircraft are the oldest jets in France's fleet and are slated to be replaced by Rafale jets in the coming years. It is not known how many will be transferred to Ukraine. Leighton said current estimates show Ukraine getting a total of 95 F-16s and around two dozen Mirages. 'Neither airframe will be made available to Ukraine in sufficient numbers to provide the air combat capabilities Ukraine needs at this stage in its war with Russia,' he added. 'In ideal circumstances, the Ukrainian Air Force should have around 200 - 220 fighter jets at its disposal.'
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine gets French Mirage fighter jets, more F-16s from the Netherlands
Ukraine's air force got a boost in its fight against Russia on Thursday with the arrival of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from France, along with F-16s from the Netherlands. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed the transfer of the Mirage jets in a post on X, adding the fighters were flown by Ukrainian pilots who have been training for months in France. French President Emmanuel Macron had promised the Mirage jets to Ukraine last summer. 'The Ukrainian sky is becoming more secure!' Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said in a post on Facebook. Welcoming the arrival of 'the first French Mirage 2000 fighter jets and F-16s from the Kingdom of the Netherlands,' Umerov said: 'These modern combat aircraft have already arrived in Ukraine and will soon begin carrying out combat missions, strengthening our defense and enhancing our ability to effectively counter Russian aggression.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Macron on Thursday for 'his leadership and support.' 'France's president keeps his word, and we appreciate it,' Zelensky said in a post on X. The new fighters are expected to boost Ukrainian forces' ability to provide air cover for troops, attack ground targets, take on enemy planes, and intercept missiles. The latter role could be vital. Russia has stepped up missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, often sending dozens in one night, taxing Ukraine's air defense batteries. Last weekend, a Russian strike on a residential building in central Ukraine killed at least 14 people, emergency services said. In January, the Ukrainian Air Force reported in a Facebook post that one of its F-16 pilots had destroyed six Russian missiles in one night in December. Military aviation analyst Peter Layton at the Griffith Asia Institute said the Mirages might be best suited for the air defense role, freeing up the F-16s for other missions. Mirages can get airborne more quickly than an F-16, Layton said. 'I would have the (Mirages) standing ground alert and able to take off within a few minutes to intercept incoming cruise missiles (primary targets) and Shahed drones (secondary targets),' Layton said. Mirages could also be used to launch longer-range missiles such as the SCALP, also known as the Storm Shadow, at targets well inside Russia, said Layton, a former Royal Australian Air Force officer. CNN military analyst Cedric Leighton noted that the Mirages could provide Ukraine with another platform to attack Russia's Black Sea Fleet, as the jets can carry French-made Exocet anti-ship missiles. Ukraine needs all the help it can get in its nearly three-year long war, triggered by Russia's 2022 invasion of its neighbor. There has been no let-up in the fighting, even with US President Donald Trump having promised to reach a ceasefire quickly with his return to the White House last month. Ukraine's army continues to be pushed back on the eastern front lines, in the face of superior Russian manpower and resources. Thursday's announcements did not specify the number of fighter jets transferred from the two NATO allies to Ukraine, but the country has to date had few Western warplanes in its fleet. Ukraine received its first F-16s last summer, with Zelensky at the time thanking the Netherlands, Denmark and the United States – where the F-16s are built – for the aircraft, without saying how many were delivered. Reports since indicate two F-16s have been lost. A list of the world's combat aircraft from Flight Global shows two F-16s in Ukraine's fleet as of the beginning of this year, with 58 on order. France had 26 Mirage 2000-5s active in its air force at the beginning of 2025, according to Flight Global. The aircraft are the oldest jets in France's fleet and are slated to be replaced by Rafale jets in the coming years. It is not known how many will be transferred to Ukraine. Leighton said current estimates show Ukraine getting a total of 95 F-16s and around two dozen Mirages. 'Neither airframe will be made available to Ukraine in sufficient numbers to provide the air combat capabilities Ukraine needs at this stage in its war with Russia,' he added. 'In ideal circumstances, the Ukrainian Air Force should have around 200 - 220 fighter jets at its disposal.'
