French President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed France’s commitment to supplying Ukraine with Mirage 2000 fighter jets, a promise that materialized when the first of these aircraft arrived in Ukraine on February 6, 2025, piloted by Ukrainians trained in France.
Ukrainian Mirage 2000 fleet levels up with high-tech bombs
Photo credit: X
This development, confirmed by French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, follows months of preparation and signals an ongoing effort to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses amid its conflict with Russia. The jets, delivered as part of a broader military aid package, were accompanied by an announcement that France is also working to expedite shipments of drones and missiles to Kyiv.
Macron’s latest statements, made during a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggest that additional Mirage deliveries—potentially involving third countries—remain under consideration, reflecting France’s sustained support as Ukraine faces escalating Russian aerial assaults.
France will continue to deliver Mirage 2000-5F multirole fighters to Ukraine as it trains new Ukrainian pilots, per French President Macron.
France is also working to accelerate the deliveries of other systems to Ukraine, including drones and missiles. pic.twitter.com/WH6TaznI3G
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 17, 2025
The move comes at a critical juncture, with Ukraine pressing Western allies for advanced weaponry to counter Moscow’s intensified strikes on its infrastructure.
The initial batch of Mirage 2000-5F jets touched down in Ukraine after a six-month training program for Ukrainian pilots and technicians, conducted at air bases in eastern and southwestern France. Lecornu announced the arrival on social media, noting that the aircraft, flown by Ukrainian crews, would now contribute to defending the country’s skies.
While the exact number of jets delivered remains undisclosed for security reasons, a French parliamentary budget report from late 2024 indicated that six of the French Air Force’s 26 Mirage 2000-5F aircraft were earmarked for transfer. The delivery aligns with a timeline Macron outlined in June 2024, when he pledged the jets during a visit from Zelensky commemorating the D-Day landings.
Since their arrival, the Mirages have been integrated into Ukraine’s air fleet, joining F-16s supplied by nations like the Netherlands and Denmark, as part of a Western effort to enhance Kyiv’s aerial capabilities.
Evidence suggests the Mirage 2000 jets saw combat action shortly after their arrival. On March 7, 2025, Ukrainian officials reported that the French-supplied aircraft participated in repelling a large-scale Russian air attack involving missiles and drones targeting cities across the country.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, in a conversation with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, praised the jets’ performance, stating they demonstrated “great efficiency” in countering the barrage. Posts on X from Ukrainian leaders, including First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, echoed this sentiment, crediting the Mirages with saving lives by intercepting Russian threats.
Though specific outcomes—such as the number of targets downed—were not detailed in official statements, the jets’ deployment in an air defense role aligns with their advanced radar and missile systems, designed to engage airborne threats effectively. Analysts note that their use reflects Ukraine’s urgent need to protect civilian and military infrastructure as Russian strikes intensify ahead of the winter months.
The Mirage 2000-5F, as deployed in Ukraine, is a multirole fighter jet developed by France’s Dassault Aviation, known for its agility and versatility. Equipped with the Thales RDY radar, it can track multiple targets in all weather conditions, making it well-suited for air-to-air combat.
The aircraft carries MBDA MICA missiles for engaging enemy planes and SCALP-EG cruise missiles for precision strikes on ground targets, capabilities enhanced by upgrades performed in France before delivery. With a top speed of Mach 2.2 and a combat radius of about 1,000 kilometers, the jet offers Ukraine a significant boost in both defensive and offensive operations.
Its NATO-compatible Link 16 system allows real-time coordination with allied forces, a feature that complements Ukraine’s growing fleet of Western-supplied aircraft.
Rumors of France training Ukrainian pilots for the Mirage 2000 first surfaced in mid-2023, when French outlet Le Figaro reported that up to 30 Ukrainian aviators were undergoing instruction at undisclosed locations.
At the time, the French government dismissed these claims as speculative, with a Ministry of Defense spokesperson stating there was “no concrete plan” to supply Mirage jets or train pilots for them. Officials emphasized that France’s focus remained on delivering other aid, such as artillery and air defense systems. However, these denials unraveled when Macron announced the transfer in June 2024, revealing that training had indeed begun shortly thereafter.
By October of that year, Lecornu confirmed that Ukrainian crews were actively preparing at bases like Nancy and Cazaux, validating earlier reports and highlighting a discreet but deliberate shift in French policy. The training, completed by late December, paved the way for the jets’ arrival two months later.
France’s support for Ukraine extends beyond the Mirage 2000 jets, with additional hardware slated for delivery in the coming months. During his recent call with Zelensky, Macron indicated that France is accelerating shipments of drones, including reconnaissance and attack models, to enhance Ukraine’s battlefield awareness and strike capacity.
Missiles, such as the AASM Hammer guided bombs already in use with Ukraine’s MiG-29s, are also part of this package, with plans to integrate them fully into the Mirage fleet. French officials have hinted at expanding the scope of aid, with Lecornu noting in a February statement that the 2025 defense budget—set at €50.5 billion—would support further contributions, including 14 Rafale jets for France’s own forces and Aster air-defense missiles that could potentially bolster Ukraine’s defenses.
Posts on X from observers suggest Macron is exploring indirect transfers of additional Mirages through allied nations, though no firm commitments have been publicized.
The decision to supply Mirage jets has drawn varied reactions. Zelensky has consistently praised France’s leadership, calling the deliveries a “lifeline” amid uncertainty over U.S. aid following Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025. In a social media post after the jets’ first combat mission, he thanked Macron for keeping his word, emphasizing their role in strengthening Ukraine’s security.
NATO officials have welcomed the move, noting that the Mirage’s NATO-standard systems enhance interoperability with other Western assets in Ukraine’s arsenal. Conversely, Russia has condemned the transfers, with Kremlin spokespeople labeling them an escalation that prolongs the conflict.
Analysts like Michael Kofman of the Carnegie Endowment have observed that while the jets won’t shift the war’s strategic balance alone, they provide Ukraine with critical tools to contest Russian air dominance, particularly in the east.
The Mirage 2000’s integration into Ukraine’s air force reflects broader trends in Western military assistance. Since August 2024, Ukraine has operated F-16s from European donors, though delays in pilot training and spare parts have slowed their deployment, according to Belgian and Dutch officials.
The Mirages, arriving with trained crews and a support package, offer a faster operational tempo, a point Lecornu underscored when announcing their modifications for air-to-ground missions. Defense experts suggest the jets could target Russian logistics or fortifications with SCALP-EG missiles, though their primary role so far appears to be air defense, countering drones and cruise missiles that have devastated Ukrainian cities.
The training program’s success has also raised speculation about further Western jet deliveries, with Sweden’s Gripen fighters occasionally mentioned as a possibility.
As spring approaches, France’s commitment to Ukraine remains a focal point in the conflict’s evolving dynamics. The Mirage 2000 jets, now operational, represent a tangible escalation in European support, complementing earlier deliveries of artillery and air defense systems like the SAMP/T.
Macron’s openness to additional transfers via third countries, discussed in his latest call with Zelensky, suggests that France may leverage its diplomatic ties—potentially with nations like Greece or the UAE, which operate Mirage variants—to amplify aid.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to press for long-range weapons, a request Macron has said is under review. With Russia showing no signs of relenting, the Mirages’ early combat performance and France’s forthcoming deliveries will likely shape Kyiv’s resilience in the months ahead.
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