France to Deliver Six Mirage 2000 Fighters and Aster Missiles to Ukraine, Confirms Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will deliver a new package of Mirage 2000 fighters and Aster surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine in the coming days, reaffirming Paris’s commitment to strengthening Kyiv’s air defense and strike capabilities amid intensifying Russian attacks.

The announcement came during a recent meeting with European allies, where Macron emphasized that France’s support for Ukraine “remains unwavering” and that new equipment would soon reach Ukrainian forces. While he did not specify exact numbers, reports from French and Ukrainian defense sources indicate that three Mirage 2000-5F jets have already been transferred, with three more expected to follow under this new package.

Aster Missiles for Strengthened Air Defense

Alongside the fighter aircraft, France will supply additional Aster surface-to-air missiles to reinforce Ukraine’s existing SAMP/T Mamba air defense system — the only Western-made long-range system currently protecting Ukrainian skies. These missiles, co-developed by France’s MBDA and Italy’s Leonardo, are capable of intercepting a wide range of aerial threats including cruise missiles, drones, and tactical ballistic missiles.

While the exact number of Aster missiles in this delivery has not been publicly confirmed, military analysts believe the package will include both Aster 15 and Aster 30 variants to replenish depleted interceptor stocks. This support comes as Ukraine continues to face an unprecedented wave of Russian missile and drone attacks targeting energy and infrastructure networks ahead of the winter season.

Mirage 2000s: New Wings for Ukraine

The Mirage 2000-5F, developed by Dassault Aviation, is a fourth-generation multirole fighter capable of air superiority, interception, and precision ground-attack missions. Powered by a single SNECMA M53-P2 engine, it can reach speeds of Mach 2.2 and is equipped with RDY radar, MICA air-to-air missiles, and laser-guided munitions.

Ukraine’s Air Force has been gradually integrating Western aircraft into its fleet, and the arrival of additional Mirage jets is expected to expand its ability to defend against Russian Su-35 and MiG-31 fighters. Reports suggest that Ukrainian pilots have been undergoing training in France since mid-2024, ensuring a smooth operational transition.

Strategic Significance

This delivery is part of a broader European initiative to provide Ukraine with a layered air-defense network, combining Western missile systems such as Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T with French-supplied Asters. The addition of Mirage fighters gives Ukraine a versatile platform capable of both defensive and offensive roles.

Military experts view this move as a calculated step by France to signal sustained European unity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression. It also reinforces the growing role of European defense industries in supporting Kyiv independently of U.S. logistics.

France’s new aid package demonstrates that Western partners are shifting from short-term support to long-term capability building. The Mirage 2000-5F fighters will expand Ukraine’s air power, while the Aster missiles will help protect major cities and critical infrastructure from aerial attacks.

Though the number of assets remains undisclosed, deliveries are expected to commence within the next few days, according to French defense officials. The move is likely to provoke a strong reaction from Moscow, which has repeatedly criticized the transfer of advanced Western weaponry to Kyiv.