To reduce the "zoo" of aircraft in its air force, Greece plans to retire its Mirage 2000-5 Mk II while keeping three types of combat aircraft in service: Rafale, F-16, and eventually F-35, which are not expected to arrive before 2028.
Greece has already attempted to sell these jets as spare parts to India, but negotiations failed. Previously, India had purchased used Mirage aircraft from France as donors for spare parts to support its fleet acquired in the 1980s.
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However, Greece refuses to transfer these aircraft to Ukraine for free, as the funds from their sale are likely to be used for purchasing additional Rafales to strengthen the country's defense capabilities. Athens’ problem, however, is that the maintenance contract for its Mirage 2000-5 Mk II expires in 2027, as Opex360 has reminded.
The manufacturers of this aircraft—Dassault Aviation, Thales, and Safran—are unlikely to agree to extend this contract because they are focusing all their efforts on the Rafale.
This means that Greece has two years while the aircraft remain operational to find a buyer. If Ukraine decides to purchase them or if countries such as France finance the deal, Greece will gladly proceed with the sale. Otherwise, the Greeks will have no choice but to scrap them.
The main differences between the Greek Mirage 2000-5 Mk II and the Mirage 2000-5F transferred to Ukraine are an improved RDY-2 radar with SAR technology (for detecting ground targets) and the capability to detect enemy fighters at a range of 140 km (compared to the RDM radar in Ukrainian jets with a range of 110 km); the ability to carry SCALP-EG cruise missiles without additional upgrades; and enhanced navigation systems and avionics.
The Mirage 2000-5F transferred to Ukraine can also carry SCALP-EG missiles, but France had to conduct modernization work, which likely contributed to the delay in their delivery.
Therefore, for the Greek Mirage jets to be considered a worthwhile investment of funds and resources, they must first undergo refurbishment, which would also take some time.
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