Poland set to provide Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets

Poland says the potential transfer is linked to the aircraft reaching the end of their operational service life and the absence of further modernisation prospects within the Polish Armed Forces.

However, the General Staff stresses that no final decision has yet been taken.

According to the statement, gifting the aircraft would form part of allied efforts to support Ukraine and to strengthen security on NATO’s eastern flank.

Tasks previously performed by the retiring MiG-29s will be taken over by F-16 and FA-50 fighters.

At the same time, Warsaw is in talks with Kyiv about receiving certain UAV and missile technologies as part of the transfer. The aim is not only to compensate for the donated equipment, but also to acquire and jointly develop new defence and industrial capabilities.

F-16 deliveries to Ukraine

In 2023, several NATO countries agreed to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets and to train Ukrainian pilots.

Politico reported that Kyiv has pressed European partners and the United States to accelerate pilot training, dissatisfied with the pace and volume of instruction provided.

There were also reports that Ukrainian F-16s could receive new, cost-effective munitions for intercepting Shahed drones. According to Defence Express, Ukrainian Air Force F-16s have been equipped with LAU-131 launchers for Hydra-70 rockets, compatible with APKWS II laser-guided kits.

This configuration enables the destruction of hostile drones at relatively low cost, roughly 30–31 thousand dollars per missile, compared with the multi-million-dollar price tags of AIM-9 or AIM-120 interceptors.