Ukrainian Fighter Pilots Trained In France

The French Ministry of Armed Forces confirmed that the first French Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets promised to Ukraine were delivered, flown by Ukrainian pilots who were trained in France for several months, to assist in the air defense of Ukraine.

Sebastian Lecornu said in a post on X, “On June 6, 2024, Emmanuel Macron announced the delivery of French Mirage 2000s to Ukraine. The first of them arrived in Ukraine today. With Ukrainian pilots on board who have been trained for several months in France, they will now participate in defending the skies of Ukraine.”

The original reports said France was going to send three Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine in early 2025, but the exact number delivered was not disclosed.

The Mirage 2000-5, made in France by Dassault Aviation, is a single-engine air superiority fighter jets that were upgraded at Cazaux Air Base to enhance their effective use in the conflict in Ukraine. Key mods include the capability to launch SCALP-EG/Storm Shadow cruise missiles. They are also armed with MICA air-to-air missiles and AASM Hammer bombs as well as modernized electronic warfare systems to counter Russian jamming technology.

“It is a question of equipping them with air-to-ground combat capabilities. And to strengthen their electronic warfare system,” Lecornu said in an interview in October 2024.

These jets are the second western fighter aircraft to be sent to the Ukrainian military. Ukrainian pilots have been flying General Dynamics F-16 jets supplied by Netherlands and Denmark.

FMI:  www.dassault-aviation.com/