The delivery of French Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine is now anticipated in early 2025, according to a formal announcement by France’s Minister of Defense, Sébastien Lecornu. Originally scheduled for late 2024, the transfer has been delayed, with the current timeline targeting the end of March 2025.
Sébastien Lecornu emphasized that these jets will undergo significant upgrades, including enhancements for ground-attack capabilities and electronic warfare resilience. These improvements are particularly relevant as Ukraine seeks to bolster its defenses against russian electronic warfare tactics. The modernization, which is underway at the French Air Force’s main flight test center in Cazaux, is expected to enhance the aircraft’s navigation, radar, and communication systems, although the full scope of the upgrades remains classified.
Read more: France to Modify the Mirage 2000-5F Jets for Ukraine with Ground Strike Capabilities
This delay marks a shift from earlier statements made by French officials. In June, President Emmanuel Macron had committed to delivering the jets by the end of 2024, and in July, French Ambassador to Ukraine Gaël Veyssière indicated the transfer would occur within months. While technically accurate, the revised timeline extends the expected delivery by several months. Nonetheless, even with this delay, the transfer of the Mirage 2000-5 is progressing more quickly than the F-16 aircraft, which faced a protracted approval and delivery process. The first official commitments for the F-16 jets were made in August 2023, with actual transfers expected to take up to a year.
The exact number of the Mirage 2000-5 jets destined for Ukraine remains undisclosed. However, France’s inventory includes 27 single-seat Mirage 2000-5 and 7 two-seat Mirage 2000B aircraft, all of which have been decommissioned. Earlier this year, Sébastien Lecornu confirmed that France intends to transfer all retired military equipment to Ukraine, raising the possibility that a substantial portion of this fleet could be part of the upcoming delivery.
Read more: Unexpectedly Fast: Mirage 2000-5 May Arrive in Ukraine Within Months, French Ambassador Says
