Planes for drones: Tusk confirms Poland's readiness to transfer MiG-29s to Ukraine
Photo: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (Getty Images)
Poland is ready to transfer MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in exchange for drones, if Kyiv needs them, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Read also: Ukraine and Poland begin modernization of MiG-29 fighter jets
Tusk also announced Poland’s 48th military aid package for Ukraine.
He said the new package would be worth around 200 million zlotys (more than $55 million) and would focus on armored vehicles. The Polish Prime Minister also commented on the possible transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets.
"President Zelenskyy and I agreed that we will act flexibly if necessary and adjust certain arrangements, because we want to respond adequately to real needs, that is, current needs. I know that Ukraine requires various forms of air defense, primarily certain types of ammunition and missiles. We cannot help with everything," he said.
According to Tusk, "if the need for MiGs remains, Poland is ready to transfer these aircraft right now."
"We discussed a mutual exchange, and Ukraine is ready for such an exchange. This involves Ukrainian drones, as we want to build an effective counter-drone system in Poland, and our drone capabilities and cooperation with Ukraine are a priority for us in this issue," the Polish Prime Minister added.
Transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine
In December last year, it became known that Poland was holding talks with Ukraine on the transfer of MiG-29 aircraft.
Reports said Poland could provide Ukraine with up to nine of its MiG-29 fighter jets as part of assistance to Kyiv.
The aircraft are being transferred because they have reached the end of their operational life and no longer have viable modernization prospects in the Polish military.
In exchange for a new batch of Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets, Ukraine is expected to provide Poland with a number of drone-related technologies that have already proven effective on the battlefield.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki has confirmed that Poland does not rule out exchanging MiG-29 fighter jets for Ukrainian counter-drone technologies.
According to Ukraine’s ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, Ukrainian drones will be delivered to Poland, among other items. However, he did not specify the number.
