France is preparing to transfer Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine as part of expanded military cooperation aimed at strengthening Kyiv’s air force and air defense capabilities.
According to a statement released by Ukraine’s Defense Ministry on Monday, Feb. 9, the plans were discussed during talks between Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin.
Mirage jets, air defense, missiles
France confirmed it is preparing to deliver Mirage 2000 aircraft to Ukraine, the ministry said, as Kyiv continues to seek additional combat aircraft to bolster its defenses against Russian missile and drone attacks.
The two sides also discussed accelerating the delivery and production of AASM Hammer precision-guided aerial bombs, as well as speeding up supplies of Aster anti-ballistic missiles.
Ukraine reiterated its interest in further deliveries of French-made air defense systems, including SAMP/T, Mistral, and Crotale, and proposed joint work to upgrade the SAMP/T system to improve its ability to counter ballistic threats.
Talks also covered the potential provision of long-range strike capabilities, including SCALP cruise missiles, according to the statement.
Ukraine has been operating at least six Mirage 2000-5F aircraft since February 2025, with pilots and ground crews completing French training programs by late 2024. France is also providing additional Mirage aircraft to further augment F-16s in the air defense role, but the timeline and numbers are classified.
Joint weapons production
In parallel, Ukraine and France signed a letter of intent on joint weapons production on the territories of both countries, marking a shift from arms deliveries toward longer-term industrial cooperation.
The agreement opens the way for large-scale joint projects involving government institutions and defense companies from Ukraine and France, including the testing of security solutions and the development of electronic warfare systems.
The sides also discussed financing mechanisms for joint projects, including through European Union credit instruments and the SAFE program.
France has been one of Ukraine’s key military partners since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, supplying air defense systems, armored vehicles and long-range missiles.