France has delivered the initial batch of its promised Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine, expanding Kyiv’s defense capabilities in its war with Russia. French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed the delivery of three aircraft via a post on the social platform X on Thursday.
French President Emmanuel Macron disclosed the government’s plans to gift Ukraine with the Dassault jets in June. A budget proposal published in October provided additional details on the deal, which will see the delivery of six Mirage 2000s. The planes feature new equipment for air-to-ground combat and defense against electronic warfare.
The Mirage 2000 is the second Western-produced plane Ukraine has received since the start of Moscow’s invasion. The aircraft provides Ukrainian forces with several capabilities, including better interoperability with NATO allies using the alliance’s ordnance, such as the Scalp/Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles and guided bombs.
Ukraine received its first Western jets in 2024 after Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands handed over F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv. The deal dates back to 2023 when the U.S. government approved the three nations’ proposal but mandated that Ukrainian pilots undergo training before the F-16 delivery.
Denmark is earmarked for another F-16 delivery to Ukraine sometime in 2025.