Poland to transfer up to nine MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine
Polish government names number of MiG-29 jets Ukraine will receive (photo: Getty Images)
Poland will supply Ukraine with up to nine of its MiG-29 fighter jets as part of assistance to Kyiv to defend against Russia's full-scale invasion, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski said, TVP World reports.
"We are waiting for the answer from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. Discussions are ongoing... these are completely technical discussions," Zalewski said.
Asked whether Ukraine had accepted Poland's offer, Zalewski said it had. According to him, the initial delivery would consist of "less than ten" aircraft.
"I believe... Ukrainians made the decision to accept this offer. Of course, there are some technical aspects which shall be clarified, as always," he added.
In December, Cezary Tomczyk, another Polish deputy defense minister, said that "six to eight" Soviet-era aircraft could be transferred to Ukraine as part of a possible military technology exchange agreement.
Zalewski also emphasized that the technical details of the MiG transfer, including logistics and maintenance, are currently being coordinated.
Transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine
Poland is holding talks with Ukraine on the transfer of MiG-29 aircraft.
The transfer of the aircraft is linked to their reaching their target operational service life and to the lack of prospects for their further modernization in the Polish Armed Forces.
In exchange for a new batch of Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets, Ukraine will provide Poland with a number of drone-related know-how solutions that have already demonstrated their effectiveness on the battlefield.
According to Ukraine's ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, Ukrainian drones will be delivered to Poland, among other things. However, he did not specify their number.
