France delivers 1st Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine

ISTANBUL

France delivered the first batch of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine to bolster its air defenses against Russia, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced on Thursday.

“The first of these aircraft have arrived in Ukraine today,” Lecornu posted on X, without specifying the number of jets delivered.

He added that after months of training provided by France, Ukrainian pilots would use the aircraft to defend their airspace.

Last June, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the transfer of Mirage 2000-5 jets to Ukraine as part of France’s military cooperation with Kyiv.

According to a budget report from the French National Assembly, six of the 26 Mirage 2000-5 aircraft owned by the French Air Force were designated for Ukraine. However, France’s Defense Ministry has neither confirmed nor denied the figure for security reasons.

Ukrainian pilots and mechanics were trained in eastern France, according to French daily Le Monde.

The jets were reportedly modified to counter Russian electronic warfare tactics.

The delivery comes amid renewed discussions about a potential diplomatic resolution to the nearly three-year war following Donald Trump’s return to the White House and as Ukrainian forces face growing challenges on the battlefield.