The Polish government has confirmed its intention to transfer all MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter jets in service with the Polish Air Force to Ukraine. Negotiations regarding logistics and the first phase of delivery are already underway. The transfer will be accompanied by a technological exchange, in which Ukraine will provide Poland with expertise in drone and missile systems. The information was announced by Poland’s Deputy Minister of Defense, confirming reports that first emerged in December 2025 following internal consultations within the Polish Armed Forces General Staff.
The key factor behind retiring the MiG-29 fleet was the aircraft approaching the end of their service life and the lack of cost-effective modernization programs. Polish military officials emphasize that the transfer will not create gaps in combat capability, as the Fulcrum’s roles are already being taken over by F-16 fighters and FA-50 light combat aircraft, with F-35s expected to join in the future. The phased introduction of new aircraft has allowed Warsaw to fully retire Soviet-era platforms from operational service without compromising readiness.
As of early 2026, the Polish Air Force retained 14 MiG-29s, including 11 single-seat fighters and 3 two-seat trainer-combat variants. For comparison, at the start of the full-scale war in 2022, Poland operated 28 of these aircraft.
The transfer is planned to take place in two phases, with the first batch including fewer than ten aircraft. Technical consultations between the defense ministries of both countries are ongoing regarding maintenance, spare parts, and logistical support.
The MiG-29 remains a critical platform for the Ukrainian Air Force. Its main advantage is the ability to deploy the aircraft immediately into combat operations without the need for extended pilot retraining abroad. Unlike Western types such as the F-16, which require full training programs, the Fulcrum allows for rapid replacement of losses and helps maintain the operational strength of aviation units at the front.
According to open estimates, Ukraine currently operates around 40 MiG-29s, distributed across three aviation brigades. This makes the type the most numerous fighter in the Ukrainian Air Force.
The transfer of aircraft is accompanied by broader defense-industrial cooperation. Poland will gain access to Ukrainian expertise in drone platforms and missile technologies. The collaboration aims not only to offset the loss of the air fleet but also to develop new industrial and scientific capabilities for both countries.
In 2022, Poland attempted to facilitate the MiG-29 transfer through U.S. mediation. The plan involved flying the aircraft to Ramstein Air Base in Germany before delivering them to Ukraine. However, the initiative was halted after the Pentagon declined to support the arrangement.
The breakthrough occurred in March 2023, when Poland became the first among its allies to officially transfer four MiG-29s to Ukraine. A month later, Germany approved the export of an additional five aircraft that had previously served in the former East German armed forces.
The transfer of the entire MiG-29 fleet will mark the final stage of Poland’s withdrawal from its Soviet-era aviation legacy while simultaneously enhancing Ukraine’s air capabilities in the short term. For Kyiv, this enables a rapid increase in combat potential, while for Warsaw, it accelerates the transition to a fully Western-modeled air force.
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Source: Theaviationist
