Poland Considers Sending 6–8 MiG-29 Fighters to Ukraine as Jets Near Retirement

Poland is considering transferring six to eight retired MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, a move that could provide a short-term boost to Kyiv’s air capabilities as it continues to face sustained Russian missile and drone attacks, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said on Sunday.

The aircraft under consideration are part of a group of MiG-29s scheduled to be withdrawn from Polish service by the end of December. According to Tomczyk, the potential transfer would not weaken Poland’s defense posture and could be formalized during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s upcoming visit to Warsaw.

Zelensky is expected to meet Polish President Karol Nawrocki on Dec. 19, marking their first meeting since Nawrocki’s election victory in August. Polish officials have indicated that high-level political talks during the visit could help clarify whether the jets will be transferred.

“These aircraft are leaving the Polish army at the end of December,” Tomczyk said in an interview with broadcaster TVN24. “They can end up in a museum, be sold, scrapped — or they can go to Ukraine and help destroy our enemies.”

Aging fleet nearing retirement

Poland’s military leadership has previously confirmed that the remaining MiG-29s are nearing the end of their operational life and will not undergo further modernization. The General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces said last week that discussions are ongoing and that the aircraft’s retirement is already planned, regardless of whether a transfer to Ukraine proceeds.

“No final decision has been made,” Polish officials stressed, adding that any donation would align with NATO’s broader policy of supporting Ukraine while maintaining security on the alliance’s eastern flank.

Possible technology exchange

The potential handover could be part of a wider technology exchange between Warsaw and Kyiv. Polish military command officials have said that donating the MiG-29s could give Poland access to Ukrainian drone and missile innovations developed during the war.

Ukraine has rapidly expanded its unmanned aerial and strike capabilities since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, and Polish defense planners have expressed interest in leveraging that experience to strengthen Poland’s military modernization efforts.

Poland’s air force transition

If the MiG-29s are transferred, Poland plans to rely on U.S.-made F-16 fighters and South Korean FA-50 light combat aircraft to fill the gap in its air fleet. Warsaw has invested heavily in modernizing its air force, gradually phasing out Soviet-era platforms in favor of NATO-standard systems.

Tomczyk reiterated that these plans ensure Poland’s defense readiness would not be compromised by the loss of the MiG-29s.

Impact on Ukraine’s air capabilities

Ukraine currently operates around 40 MiG-29 fighter jets, according to the Polish state news agency PAP. Since 2022, Kyiv has already received 14 MiG-29s from Poland and an additional 13 from Slovakia.

An additional six to eight aircraft would not dramatically alter the balance of air power, but analysts say they could provide a meaningful short-term boost to Ukraine’s air defense and limited strike capabilities, particularly as Russia continues large-scale missile and drone attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure.

Long-term outlook

Looking beyond the war, President Zelensky has signaled Ukraine’s intention to transition to a modern NATO-standard air force. Kyiv is reportedly holding talks with Sweden and France over the potential acquisition of Gripen and Rafale fighter jets in the post-war period, with long-term plans that could involve hundreds of aircraft over the next decade.

For now, however, the possible transfer of Poland’s retiring MiG-29s highlights continued military cooperation between Warsaw and Kyiv — and Poland’s role as one of Ukraine’s most consistent supporters within NATO.