Poland and Ukraine negotiate an exchange that includes Poland's latest MiG-29 fighters

The Polish Air Force could soon say goodbye to its last Soviet-made fighter jets, the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29.

Western weapons used by Ukrainian MiG-29 fighters against the Russians
The Polish Air Force receives and evaluates its first FA-50 fighters, the replacement for the MiG-29

Poland was the first country to offer fighter jets to Ukraine after the start of the large-scale Russian invasion on February 24, 2022. The Ukrainian government was particularly interested in Soviet-era fighter jets like those the Ukrainian Air Force was already using, as this would make the work of Ukrainian pilots easier.

The Ukrainian Air Force had 43 MiG-29 fighters at the start of the invasion. According to the independent website oryxspioenkop.com, the loss of 34 Ukrainian MiG-29s has been documented during this war, out of a total of 192 Ukrainian aircraft lost (Russian losses amount to 353 aircraft). Three NATO countries had MiG-29s at the start of the invasion: Poland, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. Poland then had 23 single-seat MiG-29A fighters and 6 two-seat MiG-29UB conversion trainers.

Poland and Slovakia donated between 23 and 27 MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. Poland is believed to have delivered at least 10 aircraft. Currently, Poland still has 11 single-seat MiG-29s and 3 two-seat MiG-29UBs in service, according to "The Military Balance 2025" by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. These aircraft are operated by the 22nd Tactical Air Base, located in Malbork. They are reaching the end of their operational life and are in the process of being replaced by FA-50 Golden Eagle light fighters (Poland has acquired 48 of these aircraft from South Korea).

Those last Polish MiG-29s could be delivered to Ukraine soon. Yesterday, the Polish Army General Staff issued a statement indicating the following:

"We are pleased to inform you that negotiations are underway with Ukraine for the transfer of the MiG-29 aircraft. This transfer is based on the fact that these aircraft have reached their expected service life and there are no prospects for modernization within the Polish Armed Forces. We also inform you that a final decision has not yet been made.

The donation of aircraft will form part of the Alliance's policy of supporting Ukraine and maintaining the security of NATO's eastern flank. The missions of the retired MiG-29s will be carried out by F-16 and FA-50 aircraft."

Currently, the Ukrainian Air Force is already operating fighters superior to the MiG-29, such as the American F-16 (donated by the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium) and the French Mirage 2000 (donated by France). However, all assistance is still needed.

The statement from the Polish Army General Staff includes a particularly striking third paragraph, because it indicates that the delivery of the last Polish MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine could be part of an arms swap:

"Simultaneously, in connection with the aircraft transfer, negotiations are underway with Ukraine for the supply of selected drone and missile technologies to Poland. The aim is not only to compensate Poland for the loss of equipment, but above all to jointly acquire and develop new expertise in defense and industry."

Due to the Russian invasion, Ukraine has become one of the world's largest drone producers. Ukrainian production of these unmanned aerial vehicles far surpasses that of all NATO countries combined: it has increased from manufacturing 20,000 drones per month in 2024 to 200,000 today. Furthermore, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have acquired combat experience with drones that no other allied country currently possesses.

Regarding missiles, we recently looked at the Ukrainian Fire Point FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile, a relatively inexpensive weapon with a range of 3,000 km that uses a Mark 84 bomb as its warhead. Ukraine plans to manufacture 210 units per month.

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Main photo: Hesja. An archive photo of a Polish Air Force MiG-29.