France Delivers First Mirage 2000 Jets to Ukraine

The first batch of French Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets has arrived in Ukraine, French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed today.

French President Emmanuel Macron had announced in June 2024 that France would transfer Mirage 2000 fighters to Ukraine and train Ukrainian pilots as part of military cooperation with Kyiv. While France’s National Assembly previously reported that six Mirage 2000-5 aircraft would be sent, the French defence ministry has not confirmed the exact number delivered for security reasons.

Ukrainian pilots and mechanics underwent training in eastern France, with modifications made to the Mirage 2000 jets to counter Russian electronic warfare. The aircraft’s integration into Ukraine’s air force will require adjustments, as Ukraine operates a mix of Soviet-era planes and newly acquired U.S. F-16s. The Mirage 2000’s delta wing design and high landing speed necessitate runways of at least 700 meters, which may require infrastructure upgrades at Ukrainian airbases.

Operating and maintaining the Mirage 2000 could present additional challenges. Ukrainian pilots trained for six months, but technical manuals are primarily in French, and expertise on maintaining the jets is largely limited to France and Greece. Sustaining operations in combat conditions could prove difficult. Russia’s advanced air defense systems, including the S-300 and S-400, also pose a threat to the Mirages in Ukrainian airspace.