Overview
- Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland is negotiating a MiG-29 handover in return for access to Ukrainian drone technology.
- The General Staff said the discussions stem from the MiG-29s reaching their target operational lifespans and lacking viable upgrade paths.
- Poland is also negotiating for selected Ukrainian drone and missile technologies to help develop domestic defense-industrial capabilities.
- Officials said F-16 and FA-50 aircraft would assume the MiG-29s’ roles, framing the potential transfer as support for Ukraine and NATO’s eastern flank security.
- Aviation reporting points to about 14 operational Polish MiG-29s at Malbork, and a former Polish defense minister told Ukrinform he expects a transfer in January–February after preparations, which remains an expert assessment rather than an official timeline.