The French Mirage 2000 fighters, which Paris plans to deliver to Ukraine, can be used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces as early as the first half of 2025. This was stated by French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu in an interview with the regional newspaper Sud Ouest.
“Mirage 2000 aircraft can begin flying in Ukraine in the first half of 2025,” he said. Later on X (formerly Twitter), the head of the defense department clarified that deliveries are also planned in the first quarter of 2025, although earlier French President Emmanuel Macron spoke about the possibility of starting deliveries before the end of 2024. The minister added that the vehicles will be equipped with new equipment, in particular air-to-surface weapons, as well as electronic warfare equipment. At the same time, according to him, “the main thing is the training of pilots and mechanics, which continues in Nancy.” In early June, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Paris would begin a training program for Ukrainian pilots, and also plans to coordinate the transfer of Mirage 2000 fighters to Kyiv -5. He clarified that pilot training would take five to six months, and admitted that aircraft deliveries could begin at the end of this year. According to the newspaper La Tribune de Dimanche, France can supply Ukraine with no more than six fighters. Mirage 2000 fighters were developed by Dassault Aviation and have been in service with the French Air Force since 1984. The Mirage 2000-5 modification appeared in 1999 and was distinguished primarily by an improved radar for tracking multiple targets. The main task of these aircraft is to intercept at high altitudes and at supersonic speeds. Later, several versions of this fighter appeared, equipped with equipment for striking ground targets.
