Poland Suspends MiG-29 Transfers to Ukraine, Says It Has Yet to Receive Ukrainian Drone Technology

Poland has suspended the transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine over an unresolved dispute concerning access to Ukrainian drone technology.

According to the Polish news outlet TVN24, citing Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk, Poland has repeatedly stated that it wants to benefit from Ukraine’s expertise and technological know-how in unmanned aerial systems as it develops its own drone capabilities.

Tomczyk stated that the fighter jets would be delivered after the matter is settled.

Reports that Poland could transfer up to nine MiG-29s in exchange for access to Ukrainian drone technology first surfaced in January.

At the time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian side agreed to those terms of cooperation.

The specific technologies Poland is seeking to obtain have not been disclosed. It is also unclear at what stage the negotiations between the two sides are.

The Polish General Staff announced in early December 2025 that negotiations were underway regarding the transfer of Poland’s remaining MiG-29 fighter jets to support the Ukrainian Air Force.

In Poland, the decision to transfer the aircraft is being justified by the end of their operational service life and the lack of prospects for further modernization.

The move is expected to form part of a broader NATO policy aimed at strengthening the Alliance’s eastern flank and supporting Ukraine.

Following the retirement of the MiG-29s, their roles within the Polish Air Force will be assumed by the more modern F-16 Fighting Falcon and KAI FA-50 fighter aircraft.

For more information on the capabilities of Poland’s MiG-29 fleet, refer to our special report, “The History and Capabilities of Polish MiG-29s as a Potential Boost to Ukrainian Air Power.”