The Matra Magic II missile, also designated R.550 Magic 2, is a French short-range infrared-homing air-to-air missile developed by Matra as the improved follow-on to the original R.550 Magic. Reference sources describe it as the late-Cold-War version with an improved all-aspect seeker, and Ukrainian Mirage 2000-5 reporting in 2025 documents Magic 2 use in air-defense missions during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.
Ukrainian Mirage 2000-5 fighters have been reported and shown with Magic 2 missiles during wartime air-defense operations; Ukrainian crew described the missile as the short-range weapon used for close interceptions of Russian drones and cruise missiles, while reported effectiveness figures remain crew claims.
Role detailsReporting from Ukrainian Mirage 2000-5 operations describes the Magic 2 as the short-range missile carried for close air-defense interceptions rather than a long-range air-to-air option. The available public evidence ties the missile to Ukrainian counter-drone and cruise-missile missions, but the reported effectiveness figures remain crew claims rather than independently audited kill statistics.
Ukrainian Mirage 2000-5 fighters are shown and reported with Magic 2 missiles during wartime air-defense operations.
Supported by Ukrainian Mirage 2000 Kill Markings, Ukrainian Air Force Mirage 2000 Video Report, Ukrainian Pilot Touts Mirage 2000 Effectiveness, and Ukrainian Mirage Pilot Magic 2 Interceptions.
The missile is used as a close-range infrared interceptor against Russian aerial targets such as drones and cruise missiles.
Crew reporting describes the Magic 2 as effective at close range while also noting the need for longer-range air-to-air weapons.
The Magic 2 designation marks the improved member of the R.550 Magic family rather than a separate missile shape. Forecast International describes Magic 2 as interchangeable with Magic 1, while WeaponSystems.net distinguishes the later missile by its opaque seeker dome and improved seeker fit.
Magic II, Magic 2, and R.550 Magic 2 are alternate labels for the improved all-aspect missile.
Supported by R.550 Magic 1/Magic 2 Forecast International and Matra R.550 Magic | Weaponsystems.net.
The Magic 2 update added improved electronics and seeker performance intended to support frontal or all-aspect engagements.
Supported by R.550 Magic 1/Magic 2 Forecast International and Short range guided missile Magic-2 | Missilery.info.
Magic II, Magic 2, and R.550 Magic 2 refer to the improved model of the R.550 Magic family. The original R.550 Magic/Magic 1 was the earlier rear-aspect missile; Magic 2 kept the same basic form while adding improved seeker and electronics for all-aspect engagements.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| R.550 Magic | Original production model | The first Magic model preceded Magic 2 and is generally distinguished as the earlier rear-aspect member of the family. Sources: R.550 Magic 1/Magic 2 Forecast International, Matra R.550 Magic | Weaponsystems.net |
Military, government, and reference sources document Magic 2 or R.550 Magic-family carriage across French Mirage fighters and selected export aircraft.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Light attack aircraft | Military Factory lists Matra Magic II series air-to-air missiles among the Alpha Jet's external-store options. Sources: Alpha Jet external stores |
 | Advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft | Jane's lists two Magic air-to-air missiles as a carried option for the MB-339. |
 | Multirole fighter | A French Senate report states that the Mirage 2000-5 weapon system could carry and fire two infrared Magic 2 missiles under the wing; a French military accident report also records a Mirage 2000D training-combat configuration with one training Magic 2 missile. Sources: French Senate Mirage 2000-5 armament, BEA-E Mirage 2000D Magic 2 training missile |
 | Fighter aircraft | Forecast International lists Mirage F1 compatibility in its R.550 Magic 1/Magic 2 report and identifies French Mirage F1C fighters among known Magic 1 and/or Magic 2 onboard platforms. |
 | Fighter and strike aircraft | Forecast International lists Mirage III and Mirage 5 compatibility, while ODIN states that Pakistan Air Force R550 Magic and R550 Magic 2 missiles can be carried by Mirage III/V aircraft. Sources: R.550 Magic 1/Magic 2 Forecast International, ODIN R550 Magic 2 |
 | Multirole fighter | Forecast International says Matra adapted Magic 2 to the F-16, records the 1989 first launch and 1990 operational trials, and gives a standard four-missile R.550 Magic 2 configuration; ODIN also lists Pakistan F-16A/B aircraft as R550 Magic and R550 Magic 2 carriers. Sources: R.550 Magic 1/Magic 2 Forecast International, ODIN R550 Magic 2 |
 | Fighter aircraft | Forecast International lists MiG-21 compatibility and states that Romania purchased several hundred Magic 2 missiles to outfit upgraded MiG-21 and MiG-23 fighters. |
 | Fighter aircraft | Forecast International states Romania purchased several hundred Magic 2 missiles to outfit upgraded MiG-21 and MiG-23 fighters. |
 | Fighter aircraft | ODIN states that Pakistan Air Force R550 Magic and R550 Magic 2 missiles can be carried by F-7 aircraft; The War Zone also describes Magic 2 use on Pakistan's F-7PG fleet. Sources: ODIN R550 Magic 2, The Air-To-Air Missiles That Equip India And Pakistan's Fighters |
 | Ground-attack aircraft | ODIN states that Pakistan Air Force R550 Magic and R550 Magic 2 missiles can be carried by A-5 aircraft; this catalog record covers the Nanchang Q-5 / A-5 family. Sources: ODIN R550 Magic 2 |
Forecast International's program history places the first Magic 2 flight in February 1983 after several years of development work on the improved missile.
Sources: R.550 Magic 1/Magic 2 Forecast International
The improved missile was unveiled at the Paris Air Show in May 1983, giving the Magic family a publicly identified all-aspect successor.
Sources: R.550 Magic 1/Magic 2 Forecast International
Forecast International lists February 1985 for Magic 2 initial operational capability and serial production, while other references place service entry in 1986.
Sources: R.550 Magic 1/Magic 2 Forecast International, Matra R.550 Magic | Weaponsystems.net
Reporting on Ukrainian Mirage 2000-5 operations showed Magic-family missiles and cruise-missile kill markings, while later crew reporting identified Magic 2 as a primary short-range interception missile.
Sources: Ukrainian Mirage 2000 Kill Markings, Ukrainian Mirage Pilot Magic 2 Interceptions
