Poland aims to donate Soviet-era warplanes to Ukraine
Warsaw will seek to hand over remaining Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets to support Ukraine as it fends off Russian aggression, Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Wednesday.
The outdated MiG-29s, which have been utilised in the Polish Armed Forces since 1989, are to be replaced with modern aircraft models, FA-50 and F-35. In 2023, Poland aided Ukraine with 14 such aircraft.
The minister told the press that Poland "will endeavour to transfer" the remaining half of the MiG-29 fleet to Kyiv. "That is our intention," he said, adding that in exchange, Poland would like to employ Kyiv's expertise in drone technology and its neutralisation.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the Polish MiG-29s are nearing the end of their service life, meaning their safe and reliable use can no longer be guaranteed. Therefore, they will not be deployed in the Polish Air Force's operations, he added.
The donation will mark the complete departure from the Soviet-era aircraft in the Polish forces. Next year will see deliveries of 32 F-35s from the US. Poland also acquired 48 South Korean FA-50 light attack jets, a number of which have already been delivered. However, the next batch is facing problems with integrating key weaponry. (PAP)
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