France has announced the delivery of its first batch of Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine, aimed at bolstering the country’s air defense capabilities.
"President Emmanuel Macron declared on June 6, 2024, that France would supply Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine. The first batch arrived in Ukraine today. Along with Ukrainian pilots trained in France, these jets will contribute to the protection of Ukraine’s airspace," French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu stated.
While Lecornu did not specify the exact number of jets in the initial delivery, French media previously reported that the first batch would consist of three jets, scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2025. Ukrainian pilots and technicians completed a six-month training program in December 2024.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the delivery, emphasizing the importance of the jets. "These aircraft will significantly enhance our air defense capabilities," Zelensky said. According to a budget report released by the French parliament, the French Air Force currently operates 26 Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets, with six of them designated for transfer to Ukraine. The French Ministry of Defense has neither confirmed nor denied these figures.
About the Mirage 2000
The Mirage 2000 is a single-engine fighter jet developed by France's Dassault Aviation and has been in service with the French Air Force since the 1980s. Measuring 14 meters in length with a wingspan of 9 meters, the aircraft has a service ceiling of 15 kilometers and a maximum speed of 2,700 kilometers per hour. It features nine hardpoints for weapons and fuel tanks, with a total payload capacity of 6.3 tons.
The Mirage 2000-5 variant includes upgraded radar, advanced electronics, and compatibility with a wider range of precision-guided munitions. Dassault delivered 37 Mirage 2000-5 jets to the French Air Force, which plans to retire all of them by 2029 in favor of the more advanced Rafale fighters.
Mixed Reception from Ukraine
Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuri Ignat had previously criticized the Mirage 2000 in September 2023, following reports that France intended to send 13 jets to Kyiv. "The Mirage is outdated. France has better aircraft, and so does Europe," Ignat remarked.
However, subsequent statements from President Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials suggest a change in stance. The Mirage 2000 fleet is now seen as a valuable addition to Ukraine’s air force, which has suffered significant losses over nearly three years of conflict.
Ukraine is believed to have only a few dozen aging Soviet-era Su-24 attack aircraft remaining, alongside newer MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters. While Ukraine began receiving its first Western F-16 fighter jets in August 2024, the fleet has faced setbacks, including the loss of one aircraft during its initial deployment.
For months, Ukraine’s F-16s have been used primarily for rear-line operations to counter cruise missiles and drones, avoiding direct engagement with Russian fighter jets.
(Sources: AFP, Kyiv Independent)
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