France has officially delivered its first batch of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine, marking a significant boost to Kyiv’s air defense capabilities amid its ongoing war with Russia. The delivery comes at a critical time, as concerns grow over wavering Western support and as Ukraine faces increasing challenges on the battlefield.
France has delivered a first consignment of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine to help Kyiv defend its airspace against Russia, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Thursday.
Posting on X, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Thursday: "The first of these aircraft have arrived in Ukraine today," without specifying how many had been delivered.
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After France helped train Ukrainian pilots over recent months, "they will now help defend Ukraine's skies", he added.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the delivery, which comes amid fears of decreasing support from Washington since US President Donald Trump's inauguration.
"France's president [Emmanuel Macron] keeps his word and we appreciate it. This is another step in strengthening Ukraine's security," he said.
Ukrainian pilots trained in France
In June, Macron announced that France would transfer Mirage 2000-5 aircraft to Ukraine and train their Ukrainian pilots as part of military cooperation with Kyiv.
Of the 26 Mirage 2000-5 aircraft owned by the French air force, six were to be transferred to Ukraine, according to a budget report published by France's National Assembly
The French defence ministry neither denied nor confirmed the figure for security reasons.
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Ukrainian pilots and mechanics have been trained in eastern France to use the jets, which have undergone modifications that include jamming Russian combat Russian communications.
France announced the delivery of the first fighter jets at a time when talk of a negotiated end to the nearly three-year war has increased – with Donald Trump back in the White House and Ukraine's troops struggling on the battlefield in the east.
