France has delivered the first batch of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine, French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Thursday. The aircraft are part of a military assistance package aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.

“The first of these aircraft have arrived in Ukraine today,” Lecornu stated on X, without specifying the number of jets delivered. He highlighted that Ukrainian pilots, who have undergone training in France in recent months, are now prepared to deploy the aircraft in combat operations.

French President Emmanuel Macron initially announced the transfer of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets in June 2024, committing to both aircraft deliveries and pilot training as part of France’s broader military cooperation with Kyiv. According to a budget report from the French National Assembly, six of the 26 Mirage 2000-5 aircraft in the French Air Force’s inventory were designated for Ukraine. However, the French Ministry of Defence has not officially confirmed the exact number for security reasons.

Ukrainian personnel, including both pilots and mechanics, received training in eastern France to operate and maintain the jets, which have been modified to counter Russian electronic warfare tactics.

The delivery of the Mirage 2000-5 jets comes at a time when discussions about a potential diplomatic resolution to the war have resurfaced, particularly following Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to face significant challenges on the battlefield, particularly in its eastern regions.

In addition to the French jets, Ukraine received its first F-16 fighter jets from the United States in August 2024, further expanding its aerial capabilities.

Mirage 2000 Crash in India

On the same day, an Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter jet crashed near Bahreta Sani village in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district. The aircraft went down in a rural area of central India, not far from major transport routes. The pilot ejected safely before the crash, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the incident. The Indian Air Force has not yet released further details regarding the circumstances of the crash.