Poland's wings of support: MiG‑29 jets for Ukraine's defence
The Polish chargé d'affaires in Kyiv, Piotr Łukasiewicz, stated that Warsaw is prepared to provide Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets, but only if NATO allies compensate for the gaps in Poland's air force that would result from this transfer. Let us remind you of these aircraft's capabilities.
6:53 AM EDT, October 25, 2024
– Our country is undergoing a significant transformation of its air force. We are acquiring new aircraft from our partners, including F-16s and F-35s. However, this process is still in progress, so we cannot afford to lose even these ten MiG-29s as it would leave us feeling vulnerable. Our allies should send a few squadrons of other aircraft to Poland to allow us time to develop our own capabilities, enabling us to 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 Klimow RD-33 engines, enabling the aircraft to reach a maximum speed of approximately 1,500 mph. The maximum altitude achieved by the MiG-29 is 57,400 feet, and the range is estimated at about 1,100 miles (which increases to 1,300 miles with additional tanks).
The basic armament includes a GSz-30-1 aircraft cannon of 30 mm caliber, but the MiG-29 can also carry additional armament (up to a maximum of 12,100 lbs) on external hardpoints.
Huge support from Poland for Ukraine
In 2023, Polish authorities decided to hand over some aircraft to Ukraine, including 10 MiG-29 fighters. A potential subsequent transfer could involve another 10, up to 15 such machines from the Polish Air Force's resources. Notably, former Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and Prime Minister Donald Tusk have previously expressed similar sentiments.
While F-16 fighters already form the core of Poland's combat aviation, introducing F-35 fighters will take some time. The first F-35 prepared for Poland was unveiled on August 28 at the Lockheed Martin assembly plant in Fort Worth, Texas. F-35s are expected to start arriving in Poland in 2026.
"In the last two years, Poland has provided spare parts and MiG-29 aircraft. In fact, we were the first to ask our allies to give you 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. Along with the Baltic countries, it is already one of the "best advocates of Ukraine in Europe."
