Delivery of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine set to outpace F-16 timeline

He said this on Espreso TV.

“If the French fulfill their promise with a delay of over three months—because President Macron had previously spoken of providing French fighters by the end of the year, and now the French Defence Minister has announced delivery in the first quarter of 2025—it will still be faster than the F-16s, if we measure from the moment of firm promises. As for the F-16s, Denmark and the Netherlands made firm promises in August 2023, and Ukraine publicly received them in August 2024. Regarding the Mirage 2000-5, it was promised in June 2024, and if it arrives in March 2025, it will be a few months sooner,” said Katkov.

According to him, the delay in the delivery of the Mirage 2000-5 was due to their modernization, so that these fighters could strike ground targets and be more resistant to electronic warfare.

“Ukraine has no choice but to accept aircraft from its allies that are being retired in their respective countries, as the wait for new aircraft extends into the 2030s. Zelenskyy has announced the need for 128 fighter jets. The hypothetical availability of the F-16 is approximately 70 aircraft until 2027, and the Mirage 2000-5 until 2030. There are already concerns that the numbers may be significantly lower. The French newspaper La Tribune wrote that there may be as few as six of these fighters available, as France allegedly wants to keep 20 of the total 26 in service, but a compromise was reached on the transfer of 12. However, the French press notes that there are only 20 Mirage 2000-5s in service and in flying condition,” the military expert said.

Katkov added that there are several other potential sources of Mirage 2000-5s that have already been discussed in France. A Mirage 2000 coalition may also be formed, with Qatar and the UAE emerging as likely suppliers of these aircraft, subject to their purchase.

• On 8 October, Sébastien Lecornu said that in the first half of 2025, Ukraine would receive Mirage 2000 fighters equipped with new equipment.
• Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said that in early 2025, Ukraine would receive Mirage 2000 fighter jets from France, which will be equipped to give it air superiority over Russia.