France delivers first mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that France has delivered the first Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine, bolstering the country’s air defense capabilities amid ongoing conflict with Russia.

The delivery was previously reported by French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who stated that the first aircraft had already arrived in Ukraine. “Now it will stand guard over Ukraine together with Ukrainian pilots,” Lecornu said, without specifying the exact number of jets Paris has provided to Kyiv.

According to Avions Legendaires, a French aviation publication, Ukraine is expected to receive a total of 20 Mirage 2000 aircraft from France. President Zelenskyy emphasized the significance of this delivery, stating, “The Ukrainian air fleet continues to develop. The first Mirage 2000s have arrived from France, supplementing our air defense capabilities.”

French President Emmanuel Macron had announced in June 2024 that France would supply these fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of the year, along with training Ukrainian pilots to operate them. Additionally, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reaffirmed in October last year that Ukraine would receive the aircraft by early 2025.

Defense Minister Lecornu highlighted that the Mirage 2000 jets delivered to Ukraine are equipped with modern technology, including air-to-ground missiles and an advanced electronic warfare system. The Mirage 2000 is a single-engine, multi-role, fourth-generation fighter developed by the French defense manufacturer Dassault Aviation.

The specific variant being supplied to Ukraine is the Mirage 2000-5F, an upgraded model capable of carrying and launching long-range cruise missiles such as the SCALP-EG and Storm Shadow, further enhancing Ukraine’s aerial combat capabilities.