France delivers first Mirage jets to Ukraine for war with Russia
The French military has supplied Ukraine with an unspecified number of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets, along with the necessary technical expertise to operate them.
French authorities announced on Thursday the delivery of the first batch of these jets, stating that Ukrainian pilots and mechanics would receive additional training.
"The first Mirage 2000 jets from France have arrived, adding to our air defense capabilities," Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Before receiving the aircraft, Ukrainian personnel had reportedly undergone some training in eastern France.
"With Ukrainian pilots on board who have been trained for several months in France, they will now participate in defending Ukraine’s airspace," the French Defense Ministry stated, without disclosing the exact number of aircraft delivered.
The jets’ ability to carry drop tanks extends their operational range. According to previous reports, the aircraft will also be equipped with ground strike capabilities, long-range missiles, and French AASM Hammer-guided bombs.
In May 2023, France pledged to send dozens of armored vehicles and tanks to Ukraine, in line with the West’s broader policy of sustaining the conflict in Kiev’s favor.
Later, in August 2024, Ukraine announced the receipt of American-made F-16 fighter jets, with around 20 Ukrainian pilots trained to operate them. The Mirage 2000-5, a fourth-generation fighter jet, belongs to the same class as the F-16.
Throughout the ongoing war, Russia has repeatedly warned that the West’s supply of weapons and military equipment to Ukraine will only serve to prolong hostilities rather than bring about a peaceful resolution.
France is not the only European country fueling Ukraine’s war effort. In May 2023, the German military announced a massive arms package worth 2.7 billion euros, further aligning itself with Washington’s geopolitical agenda.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrived in Kiev on Wednesday morning, where he was expected to announce a new support package for Ukraine.
Last Thursday, Sweden's defense minister said the Nordic country had agreed to donate its biggest aid package to Ukraine so far, worth 13.5 billion Swedish crowns ($1.23 billion).
The aid package is Sweden's 18th since 2022. The government is now negotiating with suppliers in Sweden and Europe to supply prioritized equipment such as artillery and drones, Defense Minister Pal Jonson told a press conference.
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