Poland to transfer MiG-29 jets to Ukraine: Number of aircraft and their condition revealed
Photo: Polish Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet (facebook.com)
Poland has officially confirmed that it is in talks with Ukraine over the transfer of 14 MiG-29 fighter jets. The negotiations concern 11 single-seat and three two-seat aircraft that were modernized between 2011 and 2014, Defence Express reports.
The Polish General Staff said the talks became possible because these jets have reached their "target operational service life" and there is no prospect for further modernization within Poland's armed forces. The discussion concerns either a sale or a barter exchange.
Ukraine has long requested these MiG-29 jets, as Kyiv received 14 similar aircraft from Warsaw in April 2023. The same number remained in Poland’s Air Force, but with an important nuance.
The MiG-29s transferred in 2023 came from the 22nd Air Base in Malbork. Poland acquired them from Czechia and Germany in the 1990s. They were never modernized and were initially planned for decommissioning back in 2012.
"The jets now being discussed are stationed at the 23rd Air Base in Mińsk Mazowiecki. According to available data, these include 11 single-seat and 3 two-seat MiG-29s, and they underwent upgrades in 2011–2014," the outlet reports.
What these jets can do
Thanks to those upgrades, these Polish fighters are comparable in terms of modernization to Slovakia's MiG-29AS aircraft, which were transferred to Ukraine in 2023. However, modernization to NATO standards does not mean that Western weapons or missiles were integrated into the Polish MiG-29s.
"Therefore, one should not expect these jets to carry any weapons different from those already used on Ukraine's existing MiG-29 fleet. These additional aircraft will be able to perform the same tasks with similar effectiveness."
Another issue is their condition. Poland planned to operate the jets until 2026. The official statement from Poland's General Staff indicates that the MiG-29s now have only minimal remaining flight hours. As a result, they will require repairs before entering service in Ukraine.
As reported earlier, the Polish General Staff recently confirmed that Poland is negotiating with Ukraine on the transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets. In return for the older aircraft, Poland seeks access to specific unmanned aerial vehicle and missile technologies owned by Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukraine plans to obtain fighter jets from other sources as well. Kyiv is expected to purchase around 100 French Rafale combat aircraft produced by Dassault Aviation. Additionally, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson recently announced that Kyiv and Stockholm have agreed on a major defense deal under which Sweden will sell Ukraine 120–150 modern Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighters over the next 15 years. However, all of these supplies are long-term prospects.
