(CLO) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Thursday that the Ukrainian Air Force has received a batch of French Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets and Dutch-supplied multirole F-16s.
"The Ukrainian Air Force continues to develop," Zelenskyy said on social media. "The first Mirage 2000s from France have arrived, strengthening our air defense capabilities. I thank President Emmanuel Macron for his leadership and support. He always keeps his word, and we appreciate it. This is another step in strengthening Ukraine's security."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: X / ZelenskyyUa
French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu also confirmed the handover, saying: "These planes will be flown by Ukrainian pilots, after months of training in France. Now, they will take part in the mission of protecting Ukrainian skies."
French President Macron has pledged to supply Mirage aircraft to Ukraine from June 2024, but did not disclose the specific number.
According to a French parliamentary budget report released last year, the French Air Force plans to transfer six of its 26 Mirage 2000-5s to Ukraine. However, the French Ministry of Defense would not confirm this figure for security reasons.
Mr. Lecornu explained that the French Mirage aircraft have been adapted to the realities of the battlefield in Ukraine, including adding anti-ground combat capabilities and electronic warfare defense systems to counter Russian jamming systems.
On the same day, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that the Netherlands had delivered additional US-made F-16 fighter jets. Mr. Umerov said that these aircraft "will soon carry out combat missions, strengthening our defense capabilities together with French Mirage fighters."
"With the latest deliveries, we continue to expand our F-16 fleet, with support from the Netherlands," President Zelenskyy stressed.
Several European countries, including Norway, have also pledged to deliver US F-16s to Ukraine, an all-important move amid concerns about declining support from Washington since US President Donald Trump took office.
Cao Phong (according to CNN, BBC, The Guardian)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ukraine-nhan-may-bay-chien-dau-tu-phap-va-ha-lan-post333402.html
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