Ukraine is receiving French Mirage fighter jets and additional F-16s from the Netherlands.
On Thursday, Ukraine’s air force strengthened its fight against Russia by receiving Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from France and F-16s from the Netherlands.
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced on X that the Mirage jets have been given to Ukraine, with Ukrainian pilots who have been training in France for months flying them. French President Macron offered to send Mirage jets to Ukraine, enhancing safety over the sky, according to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who welcomed the arrival of the first French Mirage 2000 fighter jets. He said, “These modern planes are now in Ukraine and will soon start their combat missions, improving our defense and helping us fight against Russian aggression.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Macron on Thursday for his help and guidance.
“Zelensky said on X, ‘France’s president is true to his word, and we thank him for that.'”
The new fighters will help Ukrainian forces protect their troops from the air, hit targets on the ground, engage enemy planes, and intercept missiles.
That job could be very important. Russia has increased missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, frequently launching dozens in a single night, putting pressure on Ukraine’s air defense systems.
Last weekend, a Russian attack on a home in central Ukraine resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people, according to rescue services.
In January, the Ukrainian Air Force shared on Facebook that one of its F-16 pilots shot down six Russian missiles in one night in December.
Military aviation expert Peter Layton from the Griffith Asia Institute believes that the Mirages are likely best for air defense, which would allow the F-16s to focus on different tasks.
Former Royal Australian Air Force officer, Layton, has stated that Mirages can take off faster than an F-16 and can intercept cruise missiles and Shahed drones. They could also fire longer-range missiles like the SCALP at deep-inner Russia targets. CNN military expert Cedric Leighton suggests Mirages could help Ukraine hit Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
Layton stated that Mirages can fly faster than an F-16 fighter jet and can be ready to stop incoming cruise missiles and Shahed drones in minutes.
Ukraine’s air fleet
Layton, a former officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, says that Mirages can shoot longer-range missiles, such as the SCALP or Storm Shadow, at targets far inside Russia.
CNN military expert Cedric Leighton explained that the Mirages could assist Ukraine in targeting Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, as these jets can carry French Exocet anti-ship missiles.
Last summer, Ukraine got its first F-16s. President Zelensky thanked the Netherlands, Denmark, and the United States, where the planes are made, for the jets, but he didn’t mention how many were shipped.
Reports show that two F-16s have been lost. According to Flight Global, Ukraine has two F-16 fighter jets in its service and has ordered 58 more as of early this year.
As of early 2025, France had 26 operating Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets in its air force, according to Flight Global.
“Neither type of aircraft will be provided to Ukraine in enough quantities to meet its air combat needs right now in its conflict with Russia,” he said. “Under perfect conditions, the Ukrainian Air Force should have about 200 to 220 fighter jets available.”