NATO allies, including the United States, France, and several Eastern European members, are reportedly pressuring Greece to consider the sale of its Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets. The proposed deal would see the aircraft transferred through intermediaries, with the ultimate goal of supplying them to Ukraine. This comes after Athens previously rejected such an option last year, but new dynamics involving the Rafale aircraft purchases and U.S. military support programs may shift the situation.
According to the Greek outlet Kathimerini, the pressure is part of a broader push to encourage Greece to increase its military assistance to Ukraine, with a focus on more modern systems. Until now, Athens has limited its support to older equipment, such as the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles and World War II-era M114A1 155 mm howitzers. NATO partners argue that a meaningful contribution requires advanced assets like fighter aircraft.
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If the plan moves forward, Greece could potentially sell the Mirage 2000-5 jets not only to the U.S. and France but also to smaller NATO countries like the Czech Republic or even Estonia, which has reportedly expressed strong interest in such a transfer. This would represent a significant step forward in efforts to quickly bolster Ukraine's air power without waiting for long-term fighter programs to mature.
However, Greek analysts remain skeptical about the likelihood of such a scenario. Maintenance support for the Mirage 2000-5 jets is expected to expire in 2027, and previous attempts to sell the aircraft to India failed due to lack of interest. At the same time, Athens is engaged in negotiations with France over the acquisition of an additional 6-12 Rafale fighters, a deal that could lower costs if Greece offloads its Mirage fleet.
The United States is also pushing Greece to take advantage of the Pentagon's PURL program, which allows for rapid replenishment of military stockpiles. Washington sees this as an opportunity to further align Greek procurement with NATO needs. Still, questions remain over whether such a framework could be applied to high-demand aircraft like the F-35 aircraft, where production slots are already heavily booked.
For Ukraine, the prospect of receiving Greek Mirage 2000-5 jets would offer a near-term boost to its Air Force, which continues to face pressing demands. While the delivery of the F-16 jets is underway, NATO partners are clearly exploring parallel options to secure additional fighters that could arrive faster. The Mirage airacft, although nearing the end of its service life, remains a capable multirole aircraft that could supplement Ukraine's fleet in the short term.
The Rafale airacft negotiations may serve as a key bargaining chip. If Greece finalizes the purchase of more advanced French fighters, the Mirage jets transfer could become more politically and financially attractive. This scenario would also complement France's own commitment to provide aircraft to Kyiv, expanding the pool of Western-origin jets available for Ukrainian pilots.
In the long run, Ukraine is expected to pursue modern fighters through new procurement programs, with Sweden's Gripen aircraft often mentioned as a potential candidate. But for now, the country's air defense needs are urgent, and only existing platforms in allied inventories can fill the gap. Whether Greece ultimately agrees to release its Mirage 2000-5 jets may depend on the balance of pressure, incentives, and its own strategic calculations within NATO.
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