Poland offers MiG‑29s to Ukraine, seeks NATO air support
The Polish chargé d’affaires in Kyiv, Piotr Łukasiewicz, stated that Warsaw is ready to give Ukraine MiG-29 fighter jets, but only if NATO allies fill the gaps in Poland's air force created as a result. Let us remind you of the capabilities of these aircraft.
– Our country is undergoing a large-scale transformation of the air force. We are purchasing new aircraft from our partners – F-16s and F-35s. However, this process is still underway, so we cannot afford to lose even these ten MiG-29s because we would feel defenseless. Our allies should send a few squadrons of other aircraft to Poland to give us time to build our own capabilities so that we can transfer additional MiGs that Ukrainian pilots so desperately need – explained Łukasiewicz in an interview with the Ukrainian portal Ukrinform.
Polish MiG-29s for Ukraine. What kind of aircraft is it?
The MiG-29 is a front-line fighter whose production began in the USSR in 1983. It is powered by two Klimov RD-33 engines, allowing the pilot to accelerate the aircraft to a maximum speed of approximately 2,400 km/h. The maximum altitude reached by the MiG-29 is 17,500 metres, while the range is estimated at about 1,770 kilometres (with additional tanks, it increases to 2,090 kilometres).
The basic armament is a GSz-30-1 aircraft cannon of 30 mm calibre, but the MiG-29 can also carry additional armament (up to a maximum of 5,500 kg) on external hardpoints.
Huge support from Poland for Ukraine
In 2023, Polish authorities already decided to hand some aircraft to Ukraine, including 10 MiG-29 fighters. A possible subsequent transfer could include another 10, up to 15 such machines from the Polish Air Force's resources. It is worth noting that previously, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and Prime Minister Donald Tusk spoke in a similar tone.
While F-16 fighters already form the core of Poland's combat aviation, introducing F-35 fighters will take quite some time. The first machine of this type prepared for Poland was unveiled on August 28 at Lockheed Martin's assembly plant in Fort Worth, Texas. F-35s will start appearing in Poland only in 2026.
"In the last two years, Poland has provided spare parts and MiG-29 aircraft. In fact, it was we who first asked the allies to give Ukraine something heavier than Javelins – tanks, MiG-29s, and other older aircraft," Łukasiewicz recalled.
The Polish diplomat also noted that Poland will support Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO. Together with other Baltic countries, it is among the "best advocates of Ukraine in Europe."
