Poland to consider transferring MiG-29 squadron to Ukraine

Poland will consider transferring at least one additional MiG-29 squadron to Ukraine.

The President of Ukraine’s website says that this applies to at least 14 fighter jets.

The possibility of transferring additional fighter jets to Ukraine was considered during the signing of a security agreement between Ukraine and Poland.

It will not be possible to transfer the fighters in the near future. As explained by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, these aircraft are currently involved in patrolling the skies as part of the NATO program.

Last year, the Polish Air Force handed over 14 of its MiG-29 fighter jets to the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

At the time, Poland needed German approval to transfer the fighter jets.

In 2002, Germany sold 23 MiG-29 fighter jets to Poland, which the Bundeswehr inherited from the German Democratic Republic’s army.

However, one MiG-29 still remained in Germany and became an exhibit at the aviation museum at RAF Gatow in Berlin.

As of 2024, the Polish army still has 11 MiG-29As and 3 MiG-29UBs in service, for a total of 14 aircraft.

For Poland, these outdated Soviet-era aircraft no longer meet modern needs. Now the country’s airspace is protected by F-16 fighter jets.

In 2026, the Polish Air Force is to start receiving modern American F-35 fighters. Poland signed a contract for the purchase of 32 F-35 Lightning II aircraft on January 31, 2020. The contract is worth $4.6 billion.

Poland is also interested in the latest F-15EX fighters to expand the capabilities of its Air Force.