France is considering transferring its Mirage fighter jets to Ukraine, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing BMFTV.
A senator asked French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu about plans to transfer 12 Mirage 2000-C fighter jets, which were decommissioned and put into storage in the summer of 2022, to Ukraine.
Another senator asked about possible training of Ukrainian pilots in Warsaw.
Lecornu confirmed neither the transfer of aircraft nor the training of flight crews. According to him, the West is now working to provide Ukraine with more ammunition.
At the same time, the minister noted that "negotiations are underway with the Ukrainians regarding aircraft and training." He also recalled the words of French President Emmanuel Macron that the country has no taboos.
The French defence minister also noted that the difficulties with the transfer of aircraft are related to logistics, crew training, and maintenance capabilities. According to him, "all of this is in time horizons that are obviously not short-term."
The French Air Force fleet includes 195 fighters, including 96 Rafale and 99 Mirage 2000 series 5, C and D. The French Navy has another 40 aircraft.
France is currently decommissioning the Mirage and replacing them with Rafale aircraft.
Slovakia may become the first NATO member to provide fighter jets to Ukraine. A final decision is expected within days or weeks.