Greece is under renewed pressure from NATO allies to consider transferring part of its Mirage 2000-5 fighter jet fleet to Ukraine, as Washington seeks greater participation from southern European partners in supporting Kyiv.
According to Kathimerini, Greek defense officials confirmed that discussions within NATO have explored options for transferring some of Greece’s 24 Mirage 2000-5 aircraft—either directly or through intermediaries such as the United States, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, or Estonia.
The proposal is politically sensitive for Athens, which supports Ukraine diplomatically but is wary of taking steps that could antagonize Moscow or weaken Greece’s own defensive posture.
The Mirage 2000-5 remains a key part of the Hellenic Air Force, though its future is uncertain amid ongoing modernization plans. Around half of the fleet is operational with 331 Squadron, supported by a recent maintenance deal. Greece has been in talks with France about potentially selling some airframes to offset the cost of additional Rafale fighters, but no decision has been made.
Older Mirage 2000 EGM/BGM variants were retired in 2022, with several airframes stored or cannibalized for parts at Tanagra Air Base. Attempts to sell them to India or Balkan partners yielded no results.
Instead of transferring advanced assets like the Mirage 2000-5, Greece has chosen to send older systems. Sixty M110 self-propelled howitzers are being routed through the Czech Republic for delivery to Ukraine, in exchange for 155 mm ammunition and spare parts to sustain Greek forces.
The Mirage 2000-5 Mk2, built by Dassault Aviation, is a single-seat, multirole fighter optimized for air superiority and precision strike. Powered by a SNECMA M53-P2 turbofan, it can reach Mach 2.2 and a service ceiling of 17,000 meters. It carries the RDY-2 radar, compatible with MICA air-to-air missiles, SCALP-EG cruise missiles, and Exocet anti-ship missiles, ensuring credible deterrence over the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
France’s Mirage 2000-5F jets, delivered to Ukraine in 2024, have since been used effectively in air defense and limited strike operations, intercepting Russian drones and cruise missiles. If Greece were to join the transfer effort, it would further enhance Ukraine’s Western-standard air fleet and signal deeper NATO coordination in the region.
