The General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces is negotiating the transfer of soon-to-be-retired MiG-29s to Ukraine, in exchange for drone and missile technologies.
The General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces announced on social media that it is negotiating the transfer of the country’s remaining MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine. This follows Poland’s first donation of MiG-29s in 2023 and reiterates statements made since 2022, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In return, Poland seeks Ukrainian drone and missile technologies.
Ongoing Negotiations
Negotiations are currently underway, although no final decision has been made. The General Staff emphasized that the transfer concerns aircraft reaching their operational lifespan and the limited prospects for further modernization. The move will not create a capability gap, as the MiG-29’s roles will be assumed by F-16s and FA-50s. The donation is also framed as part of NATO’s support to Ukraine and the security of the Alliance’s Eastern flank.
Poland expects the arrival of the first F-35As and additional FA-50PLs in 2026, which will complement existing FA-50GFs and replace retired Su-22 Fitter aircraft.
In exchange for the MiG-29s, Poland is negotiating the transfer of Ukrainian drone and missile technologies to acquire and jointly develop new defense and industrial capabilities. Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed the negotiations, stressing that “this solidarity must be two-way.”
2023 Transfer
In March 2023, Poland became the first country to donate MiG-29s to Ukraine, transferring four aircraft. Germany subsequently approved the transfer of five additional MiG-29s, originally part of the East German fleet sold to Poland in 2003. Poland previously operated NATO’s largest MiG-29 fleet, acquired from various sources between 1989 and 2003, and upgraded starting in 2011 to integrate with the F-16.
As of 2022, Poland operated around 28 MiG-29s, of which 10–14 have been transferred to Ukraine. Remaining aircraft are based at the 22nd Tactical Air Base in Malbork, with 14 reportedly operational.
2022 Negotiations
Earlier negotiations in 2022 involved the U.S., with a plan to transfer MiG-29s via Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Poland requested second-hand aircraft in exchange to maintain capabilities, but the transfer ultimately did not occur after the Pentagon declined support.
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