The Polish General Staff has announced that negotiations with Ukraine are ongoing regarding the transfer of additional MiG-29 fighter jets and intelligence support. Poland possesses modern F-35 fighters, which were recently used to shoot down 19 Russian drones over Polish territory.
Last year, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the country would transfer its remaining MiG-29s to Ukraine once it receives replacements from its allies.
Ukraine uses MiG-29 aircraft for tactical strikes against Russian ground targets. In 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that, despite agreements with NATO, Poland had not yet delivered its older MiG-29s to Ukraine.
Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz explained that the jets were needed to protect Polish airspace, per Radio Zet.
Poland regards sending aircraft that lack "prospects for modernization"
“The transfer of the aircraft is connected to reaching their operational service limits and the lack of prospects for their further modernization within the Polish Armed Forces,” the Polish General Staff wrote on social media platform X.
Warsaw will receive F-16 and FA-50 aircraft instead of the old jets
The donation of the aircraft will contribute to NATO’s policy of supporting Ukraine and strengthening the eastern flank of the Alliance. The roles previously fulfilled by the retired MiG-29s will be taken over by F-16 and FA-50 aircraft.
However, the General Staff emphasized that no final decision has been made yet.
“Simultaneously, in connection with the transfer of the aircraft, negotiations are ongoing with Ukraine regarding the provision of certain drone and missile technologies to Poland,” the General Staff stated.
The goal is not only to compensate for the loss of equipment, but primarily to acquire and jointly develop new defense and industrial capabilities.
