Overview
France will send more Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets and Aster air-defense missiles to Ukraine in the coming days. President Emmanuel Macron announced the package after a meeting of the “coalition of the willing.” He also committed new training programs for Ukrainian pilots, ground crews, and air-defense operators.

What Paris Will Send
The package adds Mirage 2000-5F aircraft to the three jets Ukraine already fields. French reporting suggests Kyiv could receive 12–20 Mirages in total, though Paris has not confirmed a final number. France will also deliver Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles for the SAMP/T MAMBA system. These interceptors help Ukraine defend key cities and infrastructure against cruise missiles, ballistic threats, and Shahed-type drones.

Why This Matters Now
Russia continues large, mixed strikes on Ukraine’s grid and urban centers. Extra Mirage jets improve air policing, extend reaction ranges, and add strike options. The Aster resupply keeps SAMP/T batteries ready for sustained operations. Together, these steps harden Ukraine’s air shield and reduce gaps that Russia tries to exploit.

Proven Combat Value
Ukraine put the Mirage to work soon after the first delivery in February 2025. On March 7, a Ukrainian Mirage intercepted and destroyed a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile during a major attack. One Mirage crashed in July 2025 due to a technical fault; the pilot ejected and rescuers recovered him. Despite the loss, the fleet continues to fly missions.

Mirage 2000-5F at a Glance
Dassault’s Mirage 2000-5F is a single-engine, multirole, fourth-generation fighter. It carries a modern radar, advanced mission computers, and a laser-aided inertial navigation system. The jet reaches about 2,340 km/h and carries up to 6,300 kg of payload. Typical loads include MICA air-to-air missiles and AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs.

Training and Sustainment
France will expand training pipelines to speed up crew generation and improve maintenance. More trained pilots and technicians mean higher sortie rates and shorter turnaround times. Additional Aster stocks help commanders preserve magazine depth while meeting daily threats.

Looking Ahead
Paris also plans upgrades for its Mirage 2000D fleet based on Ukraine’s drone-defense experience. Those changes may integrate low-cost, laser-guided 70 mm rockets such as the Thales FZ275. Cheaper intercepts free high-end missiles for tougher targets and improve overall sustainability.