Mirage jets and SCALP missiles: France prepares major military aid package for Ukraine
France to deliver new Mirage 2000 aircraft to Ukraine (photo: Getty Images)
France is preparing to deliver a new batch of Mirage 2000 aircraft to Ukraine, as well as anti-ballistic missiles and AASM Hammer guided aerial bombs, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reported.
"Together with French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin, we signed a Letter of Intent on joint production of weapons on the territory of Ukraine and France," Fedorov said.
According to him, France is preparing to deliver Mirage 2000 aircraft to Ukraine. The ministers also discussed accelerating work on the delivery of a record batch of AASM Hammer guided aerial bombs.
"Ukraine is interested in further supply of SAMP/T, Mistral, and Crotale systems, as well as ammunition for them. We proposed to jointly work on improving SAMP/T to more effectively counter ballistic threats," the defense minister added.
He also emphasized that cooperation on supply and acceleration of production of Aster missiles is continuing in parallel.
"We separately discussed provision of long-range strike capabilities, including SCALP missiles, and focused on joint development of innovative electronic warfare systems," Fedorov added.
French aircraft in Ukraine
On February 6, 2025, the French defense minister reported the transfer of the first Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine. Pilots who had undergone several months of training in France also arrived in Ukraine together with the aircraft.
In March, it became known that Ukrainian forces used Mirage jets for the first time to destroy aerial targets during a massive Russian attack.
It was also reported on November 17 that Ukraine plans to purchase about 100 French Rafale combat aircraft, produced by Dassault Aviation.
In addition, the Ukrainian Air Force showed French Mirage 2000 fighters while carrying out combat missions in Ukraine.
