Poland confirms transfer of up to 9 MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine after final technical clearance.

Poland is preparing to deliver up to nine MiG-29 fighter aircraft to Ukraine, fewer than the ten jets expected, in the initial batch after technical issues are resolved.

As reported by TVP World on January 14, 2026, Poland has confirmed preparations to transfer up to nine MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, with the first delivery planned once technical arrangements are completed. The decision has already been taken at the government level and is now pending final coordination with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
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Poland acquired a total of 44 MiG-29s between 1989 and 2004, which consisted of 36 single-seat MiG-29 fighters and 8 MiG-29UB two-seat trainers, and, by 2024, only 14 MiG-29s remained, all scheduled for withdrawal as FA-50 and F-35 enter service. (Picture source: Wikimedia/Julian Herzog)

In an interview for the On the Record program, Paweł Zalewski, Secretary of State at the Polish Ministry of National Defence, confirmed that it is preparing to transfer up to nine MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, with the first delivery expected to include fewer than ten aircraft once technical arrangements are finalized. The decision has already been taken at the government level and represents a further step in Poland’s military support to Kyiv following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The process has moved beyond political approval and is now centered on practical matters such as aircraft condition, logistics, maintenance planning, and coordination between the Polish and Ukrainian defense authorities.

The transfer is framed as part of Poland’s ongoing effort to support Ukraine while managing the drawdown of legacy aircraft from its own air force. Paweł Zalewski, who deals with defense and international policy matters, stated that Warsaw is waiting for confirmation from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense on remaining technical points. He said that Ukraine has effectively decided to accept the offer, while stressing that standard clarifications are still required before execution. These include issues related to logistics, maintenance responsibilities, and the operational status of the aircraft to be transferred. Zalewski confirmed that the initial batch would consist of fewer than ten aircraft, even though the maximum number discussed publicly is nine.

He presented the remaining discussions as technical rather than political in nature. Polish officials have connected the MiG-29 transfer to discussions held since December on a broader exchange framework between Warsaw and Kyiv. In this context, Poland has indicated interest in gaining access to Ukrainian-developed drone and counter-drone technologies in return for the Soviet-era fighters. The aircraft under consideration are MiG-29s that are nearing the end of their operational life in Polish service, making them candidates for withdrawal regardless of the outcome of the talks. Zalewski underlined that the focus of negotiations is now on execution and feasibility rather than on the principle of the transfer.

This approach reflects Poland’s intent to align military assistance with its own force modernization plans. Another Polish deputy defense minister, Cezary Tomczyk, previously stated that six to eight MiG-29s were approaching retirement and could be transferred, a figure consistent with later references to a total of up to nine aircraft. Poland plans to retire 14 MiG-29s in total, meaning the transfer would involve jets already scheduled to leave service. Polish authorities have emphasized that this will not weaken national air defense, as the MiG-29 fleet is being replaced by FA-50 light combat aircraft and by the planned introduction of F-35 multirole fighters.

The MiG-29 was developed in the Soviet Union during the 1970s under a requirement for a new front-line fighter capable of countering contemporary Western aircraft such as the F-15 and F-16. It first flew in 1977 and entered service in the early 1980s, initially optimized for air superiority and point air defense rather than long-range strike missions. The aircraft was conceived as a complement to heavier fighters, prioritizing agility, rapid reaction, and operation close to the front line. Over time, the MiG-29 family expanded into numerous variants with differing avionics, sensors, and mission profiles, reflecting incremental modernization rather than a single unified upgrade path. Large production volumes and extensive exports made it one of the most widely operated fourth-generation fighters globally.

From a performance and armament perspective, the MiG-29 is a twin-engine fighter powered by two turbofan engines, providing a high thrust-to-weight ratio and strong maneuvering performance. It is typically capable of speeds above Mach 2 at altitude and is stressed for high-g maneuvers, while its combat radius is limited compared with newer multirole fighters. Standard armament includes short- and medium-range air-to-air missiles and an internal 30mm cannon, with some variants able to carry unguided or guided air-to-ground munitions depending on configuration. Its effectiveness is shaped primarily by radar capability, missile integration, and electronic warfare support rather than by airframe performance alone. As a result, operational value varies significantly between operators and upgrade standards.

For Ukraine, the MiG-29 remains militarily relevant because it aligns with existing training, basing, and sustainment structures already in place within the air force. Additional airframes, such as those from Poland or Azerbaijan, can be integrated faster than entirely new aircraft types, reducing transition time for pilots, ground crews, and command-and-control elements. From an operational standpoint, the aircraft supports air defense patrols, interception missions, and limited strike tasks in coordination with ground-based air defense systems. From a logistics perspective, common spare parts, established maintenance experience, and existing support infrastructure reduce integration risk and sustainment complexity. These factors explain why the MiG-29 continues to provide practical military value to Ukraine despite its age and technological limits.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.