With French President Emmanuel Macron ready to embark on an official visit to Greece, there is growing speculation that Macron could make Athens a very attractive offer: exchanging older Mirage 2000s for newer Rafales.
France and Greece inked a security and defense agreement in 2021 that required them to come to one another’s aid in the event of an attack. At the time, the Greek government also signed a deal to purchase about 24 Rafale fighters and three French frigates, bolstering arms cooperation.
During his visit to Greece this week, the French President aims to renew the pact for an additional five years, according to media reports. The visit is expected to focus on defense cooperation, small modular reactors, research, innovation, and further arms sales.
Popular Greek-based media publication Ekathimerini reported that the French government has proposed acquiring the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) Mirage 2000-5 fighters for transfer to Ukraine in exchange for “improved terms” for Rafale fighters. However, the offer has already been shot down by the Greek government ahead of Macron’s visit.
Meanwhile, reports in Ukrainian media stated that the proposed deal calls for the transfer of 43 aircraft, comprising 19 retired Mirage 2000 EGM/BGM aircraft and 24 Mirage 2000-5 aircraft, along with spare parts. The French have offered a “similar number” of Rafales at a reduced cost, the reports add.
The claims could not be independently verified, and the French side has not disclosed its agenda for the high-stakes visit at the time of writing this report. However, we know that France purportedly promised additional Mirage 2000-5 jets to Kyiv in February 2026, as later noted by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry in an announcement.
Notably, Greece placed the first order for four two-seat Mirage 2000DGs and thirty-six single-seat Mirage 2000EGs in 1988, primarily for air defense, although they could be equipped with AM.39 Exocet missile for anti-shipping strikes. Later, the country supplemented this purchase with an additional 15 brand-new Mirage 2000-5BG/EG aircraft and an upgrade of 10 of its previous jets to the same standard. These new jets were later equipped with the MBDA SCALP-EG cruise missile and the MBDA MICA missile.
As far as the Rafale is concerned, Greece signed a deal in January 2021 to purchase 12 used and 6 new Rafale fighters to upgrade its air power and deter Turkey. The deal was later expanded to include 6 additional Rafales, bringing the total to 24 of these 4.5th-generation fighters. The deliveries were completed in January 2025—a milestone hailed as a watershed moment for the country.
As Ekathimerini reported, Greece seems unimpressed by the offer of an additional 4.5th-generation Rafale fighters on favorable terms.
While the offer appears to be good in theory, it may be years before Greece could start receiving the new jets, as Dassault’s Rafale production has remained under strain, leading to delays, as previously reported by the EurAsian Times.
As of December 31, 2025, the backlog included 220 Rafale—including 175 meant for export, according to Dassault’s own admission. So, if the exchange arrangement is agreed upon and Greece decides to surrender its Mirage 2000-5 in exchange for more capable Rafales, the Hellenic Air Force would likely be left with a gap in its inventory vis-à-vis Turkey at least until Rafale deliveries begin, which may take years.
The Mirage 2000-5 remains a capable air-defense and strike platform for the HAF.
Additionally, observers believe that Greece is not planning to abandon its Mirage 2000‑5s in favor of Rafales, as it likely wants to sell them to third‑party countries.
“We have a cartload of different types of aircraft. We have F-4s, Mirage 2000-5s, Block 30 F-16s, Block 50 F-16s, Block 52 F-16s, Viper F-16s and Rafales. We cannot carry on this way. The F-4s need to be retired and, if possible, sold. The Mirage 2000-5 is an exceptionally capable plane and can be sold. The Block 30 F-16s need to be sold. And I think we will be able to sell the [Mirage 2000-5 and Block 30 F-16s],” Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias had said in an interview in March 2024.
However, for Ukraine, a Greek acceptance of such a proposal would come as a much-needed lifeline at a time when Russian forces have intensified aerial attacks against Ukrainian cities.
Mirage 2000-5 Flying Air Defense Missions In Ukraine
France delivered the first batch of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Ukraine in February 2025 to help Kyiv defend its airspace against Russia. It is a fourth-generation jet and belongs to the same class of aircraft as the F-16, which is also operated by the Ukrainian Air Force.
The Mirage 2000-5 variant boasts a sophisticated sensor and control system, enhanced air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities, and improved avionics. It is equipped with potent radar systems and weaponry, including high-precision Magic-2 missiles, enabling it to identify and intercept low-observable cruise missiles and attack drones such as Shahed, Geran, and Gerbera, as well as hostile operational-tactical reconnaissance drones.
Last year, a Mirage 2000 pilot and aviation technicians highlighted the aircraft’s effectiveness in combat and emphasized the need for continued international support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsFGyKRVbUY
At the time, a technician demonstrated the aircraft’s external equipment, including the Magic-2 missile, and reported that it had proven incredibly effective. Meanwhile, one of the Ukrainian pilots claimed that his single-seat Mirage 2000 fighter had a 98% success record in downing hostile drones and missiles. The pilot further emphasized that Russian planes were constantly on the hunt for Ukrainian aircraft.
“The Dassault Mirage aircraft Ukraine will receive are close to the 4++ class, exceeding the MiG-29 fighters currently in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Mirage aircraft are extensively modernized fourth-generation fighters whose combat capabilities, radar systems, and maneuverability approach those of fifth-generation fighters. They have improved avionics and are lighter and more maneuverable than most similar aircraft. They can conduct combat missions at altitudes of up to 18 km,” states the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.
The Mirage 2000 can carry Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles, AASM Hammer airborne-guided bombs, and other NATO-standard air-launched weapons because its weapon stations are compatible with a wide variety of NATO-standard air-launched weapons. “Having such aircraft in service significantly strengthens Ukraine’s air defense, which is particularly important during large-scale missile and drone attacks by the aggressor,” the Ministry stated.
Earlier this year, some unverified reports indicated that the aircraft was conducting frontline combat missions against Russian positions.
Notably, Ukraine lost its first Mirage 2000 in July 2025, as reported by the EurAsian Times. “The pilot reported a failure of aviation equipment to the flight director. He then acted competently, as expected in a crisis, and successfully ejected. The search-and-rescue team found the pilot, and his condition is stable. There were no casualties on the ground. A special commission has been appointed to establish the causes of the aviation incident,” the Ukrainian Air Force said at the time.
The incident was a major blow to the Ukrainian military because it had received only a small number of these Western-origin combat aircraft. In fact, reports last month suggested that Kyiv had asked Qatar for 12 Mirage 2000 in return for assistance with interceptor drones.
Therefore, it may be safe to say that the Ukrainian Air Force needs more of these jets as soon as possible, especially since Russia has increased the frequency and intensity of devastating aerial attacks on Ukraine.
If France fails to secure the Greek Mirage jets, it would probably have to transfer some from its own inventory.
- Contact the author at sakshi.tiwari13 (at) outlook.com
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