France to Send Mirage 2000-5 Fighter Jets to Ukraine in New Military Cooperation
In a significant move to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will supply Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine within the year. The announcement came during a live interview on TF1 and France 2, coinciding with the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.
Macron disclosed that Ukrainian pilots would undergo training in France as part of this new cooperation. The training program is set to commence this summer, with an expected duration of five to six months, aiming for the Ukrainian forces to master the handling of these combat aircraft by the end of the year.
The Mirage 2000-5, produced by the French company Dassault, is a modern iteration of the Mirage 2000-C, first commissioned in 1999. The French Air Force maintains a fleet of 40 such aircraft, which are utilized both for national defense and overseas operations.
Aiming to solidify international support, Macron emphasized that this initiative is part of a larger coalition with other partner nations. While he refrained from specifying the exact number of jets to be sent, Macron highlighted the broader goal of helping Ukraine defend its territory and airspace.
In addition to sending fighter jets, France plans to establish a training program for 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers. Macron clarified that the initiative seeks to equip and train Ukrainian forces without signaling an escalation in the conflict with Russia. The French President reiterated that France and its allies are not at war with Russia, emphasizing their shared objective: aiding Ukraine in its resistance.
On a related note, Macron will host his Ukrainian counterpart, President Volodymyr Zelensky, at the Élysée Palace for further discussions. The meeting will include the signing ceremony of two agreements amounting to 650 million euros in loans and donations aimed at supporting Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure, which has been under assault by Russia.
- In January, a high-ranking official from the Ukrainian Air Force had hinted at the possible delivery of Mirage 2000-D fighter planes, although American F-16s were initially prioritized. This has now become a concrete step in the ongoing military cooperation between France and Ukraine.
- Discussions about forming a 'French brigade' to support Ukrainian defense efforts have also been proposed. Macron has specified that while there will be extensive training and equipping of Ukrainian soldiers, the deployment of French troops is not currently on the table.
