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Summary and 6 Key Points: The Ukrainian Air Force is set to receive Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter jets from France, enhancing its ability to combat the Russian Aerospace Forces.
The transfer was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron along with promises to supply F-16s from Europe.
The fourth-generation multirole fighter, the Mirage 2000, will greatly improve Ukraine’s air power.
France will also train Ukrainian mechanics and pilots.
France to Supply Ukraine with Dassault Mirage 2000 Fighter Jets
French military instructors will also support Ukrainian soldiers, despite some resistance from the United States due to concerns about escalation.
French manufacturer Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter jets will be supplied to the Air Force of Ukraine. The aim of the transfer is to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to directly engage with the Russian Aerospace Forces.
The announcement follows European pledges to move F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets to Kiev.
French Dassault Mirage 2000 Fighter Jets for Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron announced last week that the Ukrainian Air Force will receive an unspecified number of Dassault Mirage 2000s. The French leader said the move would take several months. The French Air Force will also train Ukrainian pilots and maintainers to be ready for the arrival of the fighter jets.
A fourth-generation multirole fighter capable of both ground attack and air superiority is the Dassault Mirage 2000. The aircraft has a ceiling of 60,000 feet and can reach speeds in excess of Mach 2.2, or 1,700 miles per hour. It has nine external hardpoints that can accommodate a variety of air-to-ground and air-to-air weapon systems. Overall, Kyiv’s air combat capability will be significantly enhanced with the Dassault Mirage 2000 in the Ukrainian Air Force.
Generally, it takes you five to six months. Thus, there will be pilots by the end of the year. “France will act as a training country for pilots,” Macron said.
The French President also addressed other issues related to Ukraine.
French Military Trainers and Support
The French military will also deploy trainers in Ukraine to help prepare the Ukrainian military for sustained operations. The United States is mildly opposed to that proposition, because it believes the Kremlin will perceive it as an escalation.
“No, it’s not about sending soldiers and civilians to the front from Europe or its allies. It’s about recognizing Ukraine’s sovereignty over its territory,” the French president said at a press conference last week.
NATO forces have not formally committed troops to Ukraine, although they are training Ukrainian forces on its territory.
France and the Ukraine War: Changing Viewpoints
France has an intriguing view of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine.
President Macron was among the European leaders who held direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the final weeks and days before Russia’s invasion.
Although Paris has provided financial and military support to the United States-led international coalition to help Ukraine, including 155 mm artillery, SCALP-EG cruise missiles and AMX-10RC tank destroyers, Macron has consistently said that Moscow is respected and that a negotiated peace is in everyone’s interest. can be
But in recent months, the French leader has developed a different approach to the crisis and has emerged as Ukraine’s most ardent and vocal supporter. In fact, it is more useful than the US in many areas.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
A veteran of the Hellenic Army, Stavros Atlamazoglu is a veteran defense journalist focusing on special operations (national duty with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army Headquarters). He holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University.
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