For Greece this would be a genuinely beneficial deal, when for Mirage 2000-5s for Ukraine one could receive discount on new Rafales.
France does not abandon attempts to secure additional fighters for Ukraine and intensifies pressure on Greece regarding probable transfer of Mirage 2000-5 aircraft in Greek service to our Air Forces, despite all Paris attempts, Athens as of today continues resisting on this issue.
As eKathimerini reports, the Ukraine transfer question emerged amid intensified France-Greece defense contacts. At the same time, the publication does not reveal how specifically Paris and Athens contact in the context of aircraft for Ukraine.
At the same time, stimulation methods remain the same as before — France, provided Greece agrees to transfer aircraft to Ukraine, can offer them more favorable price on Rafale fighters if it still decides to purchase additional aircraft.
As the publication emphasizes, regarding Mirage 2000-5 fighter transfer to Ukraine, Greece continues holding critical position, balancing between political, financial considerations as well as regional security considerations.
At the same time, in the question of transferring any weapons to Ukraine, especially fighters, the political context always prevailed in Greece despite all statements that they need this weaponry themselves.
If speaking specifically about Mirage 2000-5 fighters, there can be no operational needs here, as today Greece has plans to withdraw its Mirage 2000-5 Mk. II from service. The fact is the maintenance contract expires next year and will hardly be extended.
Additionally, two years ago it became known Greece wanted to sell 18 Mirage 2000 fighters immediately to India for spare parts, though this involved aircraft decommissioned in 2022. However, Athens never succeeded in doing this.
At the same time, this is not the first time media has raised the question of transferring Greek Mirage 2000-5 fighters to Ukraine in exchange for France discount on additional Rafales. Moreover, if in 2024 Greece officially did not confirm plans to purchase additional fighters in near future, last year it changed its position and began considering this option.
So last fall hope appeared for Greek Mirage 2000-5s for Ukraine, with discussion not only about possibility to exchange them for Rafale discount but also generally about NATO pressure on Athens and participation in PURL procurement.
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