In a crucial development for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Ukrainian Air Force received its first French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jet just a few hours ago. The news was confirmed by both the French and Ukrainian Ministries of Defense.
The Mirage 2000 thus became the second Western-made fighter jet to be delivered to the Ukrainian Air Force during the war. The first platform was the American-made F-16, deliveries of which continue from European partners of Kyiv.
How many more mirage jets is Ukraine expecting?
More specifically, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on his X account that the first French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jet had been successfully delivered to Ukraine just a few hours ago.
French President Emmanuel Macron had officially stated on January 6, 2024, that Paris would send Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine free of charge as part of a new military aid package in the ongoing war with Russia.
"The pilots, who have been training for several months in France, will now help defend Ukraine from the skies," added the French minister.
Shortly after, the significant event was confirmed by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, which even posted an image of a two-seat Mirage 2000 fighter jet with the distinctive Ukrainian Air Force livery.
Lecornu did not specify the number of Mirage 2000 jets that arrived in Ukraine, but the international press widely believes that only one fighter jet was delivered today.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked France for this delivery of military equipment.
Zelensky mentioned that the Mirage 2000 jets would be used to strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities. However, military experts have speculated that Kyiv might also employ the French fighters for more risky missions against Russia.
Paris has stated that soon the Mirage 2000 fighter jets delivered to Ukraine will be equipped with French air-to-ground munitions, which means that Kyiv intends to use them in strike missions against Russian ground targets.
Finally, it's important to note that the total number of Mirage jets expected to be received by Ukraine is unknown, although French sources previously mentioned 12 units. However, we know that a total of 3 units are scheduled to be sent to Kyiv in the first quarter of 2025, with two more expected in the coming days.
