WARSAW, June 30, 2026 — Poland has suspended plans to transfer its remaining Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine after a proposed agreement to exchange the aircraft for Ukrainian drone technology failed to materialize, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed.
The proposal, first outlined under a bilateral security agreement signed in July 2024 and further discussed in late 2025, involved the transfer of at least 14 remaining Polish MiG-29 fighter jets in exchange for access to Ukraine's drone technology, production expertise, and battlefield experience in unmanned systems.
According to Polish officials, Ukraine initially agreed to the arrangement but later did not proceed with the reciprocal technology-sharing component. Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk had previously stated on June 15 that the aircraft would only be transferred once the drone technology agreement was finalized.
Poland has already supplied 14 MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine during earlier stages of the conflict. The remaining aircraft are scheduled to be retired as Warsaw continues modernizing its air force with Western platforms, including the F-35 stealth fighter, F-16 multirole fighter, and South Korean FA-50 light combat aircraft.
The collapse of the agreement highlights the growing importance of drone capabilities in modern warfare. Ukrainian drone industry representatives have previously noted that unmanned aerial system technology evolves every three to six months, making a one-time transfer of technical documentation insufficient without continuous cooperation and joint production. Earlier discussions on a joint "Drone Armada" manufacturing project between the two countries have also not progressed into an operational program.
The suspension of the fighter jet transfer comes amid broader political and historical tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv, despite Poland remaining one of Ukraine's largest military and logistical supporters. Kosiniak-Kamysz has said future defense cooperation should be based on mutual benefits while also linking Ukraine's future European Union membership to the resolution of historical disputes, including issues surrounding the legacy of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and the Volhynian massacres of 1943–1944.
For now, Poland will continue retiring its remaining MiG-29 fleet as planned, while the proposed transfer to Ukraine will remain suspended unless both countries reach a new agreement on drone technology cooperation.
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