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France Reportedly Preparing Deal to Transfer Greek Mirage Jets to Ukraine
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France is reportedly preparing to negotiate with Greece for the transfer of more than 40 Mirage fighter jets to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit Greece on April 24-25, where he will discuss renewing a bilateral security agreement.
During this visit, Macron is expected to propose a deal that involves Greece handing over its entire Mirage fleet, including spare parts, in exchange for favorable terms on the purchase of modern Dassault Rafale fighters, according to Defense Express on April 22.
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The potential deal includes 24 Mirage 2000-5 Mk II aircraft and 17 Mirage 2000 EGM/BGM models. While the total number reaches 41 jets, the actual combat readiness of the fleet remains a significant question.
The older EGM/BGM variants have already been decommissioned. Two years ago, Greece attempted to sell these older units to India to be used as spare parts, but the sale was not completed.
The specifics of the agreement are not yet finalized. Major factors include how many Rafale jets France can offer in return and at what price point. Additionally, the timeline for delivery is a critical issue.
Production of the Rafale currently stands at two to three aircraft per month, with a large backlog of orders for other nations, including a potential massive contract with India. France does not expect to reach a production rate of four aircraft per month for another three years.
The success of the proposal depends on Greece’s political willingness to see its aircraft sent to Ukraine. While discussions often focus on the operational strength of the Greek Air Force, the decision is largely political. The existing maintenance contract for the Greek Mirage fleet is set to expire in 2027, which may influence Athens' decision.
Previously, Ukrainian defense-tech company General Chereshnya introduced the “Khmarynka,” a new fixed-wing suicide drone that was capable of carrying a 7-kilogram payload. The manufacturer designed the drone as a cheap, mass-produced solution for striking targets at a tactical depth, featuring a maximum range of 50 kilometers and a top speed of 140 km/h.
It launched via a catapult and was intended to systematically deplete enemy air defenses while destroying armored vehicles and logistics. Having completed its full cycle of testing, the system was ready for serial production, and the first batch of 150 drones was handed over to the Ukrainian Defense Forces to gather combat feedback.
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