President Andrzej Duda recently announced that Poland had transferred four MiG-29 jets to Ukraine in the past few months, with another four recently sent, bringing the total to eight. During a joint press briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Duda expressed his belief that if the need arises in the future, Poland would be able to deliver the remaining MiG-29s to Ukraine. He also mentioned that six more are being prepared for transfer in the coming days.

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Duda explained that the Polish MiG-29s underwent upgrades and were fitted with NATO-compliant communication systems, and therefore their transfer would require approval from other states. He stated that consent from the US, given the US hardware installed on those aircraft, would be needed and that approval from Germany was not mentioned. The IFF transponders are likely to be the point of concern here.

However, Duda also mentioned that Poland will need those MiGs, but they will gradually be replaced by new aircraft, such as the FA-50, which is expected to be delivered this year, and the F-35 in the near future. In the future, Poland may consider transferring the entire fleet of Fulcrums to Ukraine, should the need arise.

Duda’s comments came in response to a question from a Ukrainian journalist regarding the transfer of the Post-Soviet jets, and he explained in detail the plan used for their transfer in the past and the one planned for the future.

As evidenced by the above statement, Poland has the ability to transfer 14 non-modernized MiG-29 jets to Ukraine, specifically referring to the planes previously stationed at the 22nd Tactical Air Base in Malbork. In contrast, the MiG-29s stationed at the 23rd Tactical Air Base in Minsk Mazowiecki underwent an upgrade in collaboration with Israeli company Elbit System, which resulted in additional equipment installation, including western IFF systems and radios enabling pilot communication with allies, as well as a new mission computer and moving map, among other minor enhancements. These upgraded aircraft will continue in service until replaced by new assets, such as the Korean FA-50s, which are set to be delivered to the 23rd Tactical Air Base that has transferred its Fulcrums to Malbork.