According to Le Figaro, French leader Emmanuel Macron has offered Greece an agreement to transfer all of its Mirage 2000 fighters to Ukraine. Interestingly, in return, Paris is offering the Greek authorities favorable terms for purchasing Rafale fighters from Dassault Aviation.
Points of attention
- The terms of the deal and costs are currently under discussion between French and Greek authorities.
- This strategic move aims to modernize Ukraine's fighter jets arsenal by leveraging Greece's surplus Mirage fighters.
Macron is determined to find dozens of fighter jets for Ukraine
On April 24, the French President is on an official visit to Greece.
The main goal of this trip is quite specific — to exchange all 43 Greek Mirage 2000 aircraft and their spare parts for an equivalent number of Rafale aircraft at a reduced price.
As journalists managed to find out, we are talking about 24 Mirage 2000-5 aircraft and 19 older Mirage 2000 EGM/BGM.
There is a high probability that not all of them are combat-ready, as older versions have already been decommissioned.
Emmanuel Macron will offer Greece a "similar number" of Rafale fighter jets at a reduced price.
According to insiders, the specific terms of the deal and the exact cost of the equipment must be agreed upon by both parties during negotiations.
What is important to understand is that the exchange of Mirage for Rafale will allow the 114th Greek Fighter Squadron to fully staff two squadrons with a total of 36 Rafale aircraft.
