The arrival of French Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets and Dutch F-16s marks a significant boost to Ukraine's air defense capabilities against Russia. These advanced aircraft, along with training for Ukrainian pilots, are expected to bolster Ukraine's ability to protect its skies and civilian infrastructure.
The Ukrainian military has welcomed the arrival of advanced fighter jets from France and the Netherlands this week, a boost to its firepower against the Russia n invasion. The French Mirage 2000-5s and Dutch F-16s will strengthen Kyiv's forces as they face Moscow's overwhelming manpower and resources. Ukraine 's defence minister, Rustem Umerov, declared, “The Ukrainian sky is becoming more secure! The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has received long-awaited reinforcements.
” They “will soon begin carrying out combat missions, strengthening our defence and enhancing our ability to effectively counter Russian aggression,” he added. The Mirages arrive half a year after French President Emmanuel Macron promised them. Paris’s defence minister, Sébastien Lecornu, confirmed the transfer, stating that they would be flown by Ukrainian pilots who had already been training in France. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to France and the Netherlands for their support, saying, “France’s President keeps his word, and we appreciate it.” Zelensky did not disclose the number of each aircraft Ukraine has received, and the total number of Western fighter jets in the country remains unclear. These fighter jets will be crucial in protecting Ukraine's skies, particularly civilian infrastructure, which has been subjected to frequent Russian attacks. Peter Layton, a military aviation analyst at the Griffith Asia Institute and a former Royal Australian Air Force officer, explained, “Mirage is best suited for the air-to-air role, and the Ukrainians obviously have a significant problem with the Shahed drones and with cruise missiles.” Layton further stated that the Mirages might take over air combat over Ukraine's homeland, including Kyiv, freeing up the F-16s to conduct air strikes in support of the Ukrainian incursion in the Kursk region of Russia, or elsewhere on the battlefield.Moscow has sought reinforcements for its troops in Kursk, western Russia, from North Korea, which has deployed soldiers to the region. Any additional jets Ukraine receives, even in small numbers, “could make a reasonable difference each night”, Layton said. The Mirages can carry longer-range cruise missiles, such as the Scalp, also known as Storm Shadow, for attacks on Russian territory. Additionally, the French jets could offer Ukraine an extra means to target Russia's Black Sea Fleet as they are capable of carrying French-made Exocet anti-ship missiles, according to CNN military analyst Cedric Leighton.The arrival of these fighter jets comes at a critical juncture for Ukraine, as its forces strive to prevent further Russian advances before a key security conference in Munich, Germany, next week. Their presence not only enhances Ukraine's tactical capabilities but also sends a strong message of support from its partners, especially amidst uncertainty surrounding crucial aid from a key ally, the United States.About 70 per cent of all weaponry and military equipment deployed on the battlefield in Ukraine originates from international aid, according to Ukraine’s deputy defence minister, Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk. Concurrently, Ukraine has significantly increased domestic defence production, Havryliuk told Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform. In addition to its F-16s and Mirage fleet, the Ukrainian military also utilizes Su-24 and MiG-29 jets that have been modified to carry Storm Shadow missiles. However, the exact size of Ukraine’s fleet remains unclear. Layton explained, “It’s a shell game to make sure that the Russians don’t know where they are so they can’t launch missile attacks against those airfields. If you had too many aircraft, it becomes progressively harder to hide them.”
War & Conflict Ukraine Russia Fighter Jets France Netherlands Air Defense Military Aid Mirages F-16S Storm Shadow Missiles
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