Why France will supply only three Mirage 2000-5s aircraft for Ukraine

Defense Express has analyzed why we are talking only about three aircraft, noting that Paris has never confirmed how many jets will be sent or when they will arrive.

A few weeks ago, Defense Express reported that there might be 12 Mirage 2000-5s for Ukraine, but this was based on insider info and assumptions. It’s believed that Paris wanted to keep 20 of the 26 aircraft. Transferring only 6 jets wouldn’t meet French President Emmanuel Macron's goals, unlike sending 12, which would form a full Ukrainian squadron.

Defense Express reports that three Mirage 2000-5s are just the first batch. The total number of aircraft depends not only on how many are available or being updated, but mostly on how many Ukrainian pilots and technicians have been trained.

“Ukrainian Air Force pilots are currently training for F-16s at two centers in Denmark and the U.S., and the initial group of pilots was small, with reports suggesting Ukraine received only six fighters at first. Meanwhile, France is training pilots and technicians for the Mirage 2000-5 at its own facilities," the publication states.

• On October 8, it was reported that French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said that in the first half of 2025, Ukraine will receive Mirage 2000 fighters, which will be equipped with updated technology.