Ukraine has received the first of the Mirage fighter jets that France promised. They are to help guard Ukrainian airspace and can fire cruise missiles that can hit targets deep in Russia.

The first French Mirage 2000s "arrived in Ukraine today", French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on X. "With Ukrainian pilots on board who have trained in France for several months, they will now participate in the defence of the air above Ukraine.

"Ukraine had a Soviet-made air force, but is in urgent need of new and more modern aircraft to defend itself against Russia. The country has already received F-16s from the Netherlands, among others, but according to experts it will become stronger if it can also deploy other types of aircraft with different qualities.

France is not saying how many Mirage 2000s the first shipment will contain. For the time being, it would concern a handful of aircraft, French media reported earlier.

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* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)