Poland says it is in talks with Ukraine on transfer of MiG-29s

The General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces has stated that talks are ongoing with the Ukrainian side regarding the transfer of MiG-29 aircraft in exchange for Poland gaining access to certain Ukrainian drone and missile technologies, but a final decision has not yet been made.

Source: General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces on X (Twitter)

Details: The Polish General Staff noted that "talks with the Ukrainian side regarding the transfer of MiG-29 aircraft are ongoing".

Quote: "The transfer of the aircraft is related to them reaching the end of their operational service life and the lack of prospects for their further modernisation in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. We should add that a final decision has not yet been made."

Details: The Polish General Staff stated that the transfer "will be an element of allied policy in support of Ukraine and in ensuring the security of NATO's eastern flank".

Poland's F-16 and FA-50 aircraft will replace the MiG-29s as they are being decommissioned.

Quote: "Simultaneously, talks with the Ukrainian side are being held on providing Poland with access to specific drone and missile technologies in exchange for the aircraft. The aim is not only to compensate for the equipment transferred but above all to acquire and jointly develop new defence and industrial capabilities."

Background:

• In July, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk mentioned that Poland might consider transferring additional Soviet-model fighter jets to Ukraine if it can find replacements for them in collaboration with its allies.
• Later, Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz rejected calls from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to expedite the transfer of MiG-29s to Ukraine, citing the same argument regarding replacements.
• In September, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that Warsaw could transfer additional MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine, but this would depend on whether it has sufficient resources to protect its own airspace.
• In October, Piotr Łukasiewicz, Poland's chargé d'affaires in Ukraine, stated that the country would transfer the remaining MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine once it receives replacements and "fills the gaps" created by the transfer of these aircraft to Kyiv.

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