As the incorporation of F-16 fighters from its Western allies advances, Ukraine’s Air Force fleet remains largely composed of Soviet-origin aircraft. The bulk of aerial operations still relies on an increasingly limited number of MiG-29, Su-27, and Su-24 fighters, used in missions ranging from air cover, attack, and close air support, to the suppression of enemy air defenses. Since the start of the conflict, this fleet has been able to remain operational, partly thanks to the transfer of in-service or retired MiG-29 aircraft from Eastern European countries.
One of these countries was Poland, joined by Slovakia, with both transferring several airworthy units, as well as aircraft to be used for spare parts. Recently, however, the Polish government has expressed its intention to transfer the remainder of its still-operational MiG-29s to Ukraine.
In recent statements to local media, Poland’s own President, Andrzej Duda, expressed the government’s willingness to transfer the rest of its MiG-29 fleet to Ukraine. However, this transfer faces difficulties, as the Polish Air Force, currently in a re-equipment and modernization process, cannot afford to part with more aircraft without first incorporating new ones, or, alternatively, receiving additional fighters from its NATO allies to cover the gap that might arise.
“We have provided extensive support, but we have reached a point where further transfers of Soviet-origin equipment, particularly of the few remaining MiG-29s, require careful consideration,” the Polish president stated. “We acted swiftly at the onset of the war, providing what was necessary. But after two years, circumstances have changed, and our own security remains paramount.”
Currently, the Polish Air Force is in the process of acquiring new combat platforms to permanently retire its last Soviet-origin aircraft, such as the MiG-29. These include new KAI FA-50 light fighters in two batches: 12 FA-50GF and 36 FA-50PL, a highly customized version based on local requirements, with the first units still in production in South Korea.
The imminent arrival of fifth-generation F-35A fighters, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is also notable, with deliveries expected in the coming years. Additionally, the U.S. Department of State recently authorized the possible sale to Poland of an upgrade package for its F-16 Block 50s, elevating them to the Block 70 Viper standard.
However, in the case of the FA-50PLs and the 32 F-35As, Poland will likely not begin receiving the first units until 2025 at the earliest. These fifth-generation fighters are intended to definitively replace the MiG-29 and Su-22 in the Polish Air Force.
Meanwhile, in Kyiv, the Ukrainian government has taken note of the situation and has requested a clear decision on the matter in recent weeks. Despite the incorporation of the F-16s and Mirage 2000-5s, the process faces challenges, especially in training and preparing new pilots and support crews. In this context, the MiG-29 and Su-27 (for which no similar transfer programs exist) remain the spearhead of Ukrainian air power, albeit with increasingly significant limitations.
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