Poland ready to transfer remaining MiG-29s to Ukraine if allies guarantee the security of airspace – Duda

Polish President Andrzej Duda announced on Tuesday that Poland could transfer its remaining MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, provided NATO allies guarantee and engage in the security of Polish airspace until Warsaw receives new aircraft.

Oct 30, 2024 - 01:00

Poland ready to transfer remaining MiG-29s to Ukraine if allies guarantee the security of airspace – Duda

poland considers transferring additional mig-29 fighter jets ukraine polish air force jet 2021 illustrative us force/edgar grimaldo

In an interview with Radio Zet, Duda emphasized that the transfer would be contingent on Western aircraft temporarily protecting Polish skies and the assured delivery of replacement aircraft for Polish pilots.

Ukraine’s Air Force remains largely outgunned by Russian forces with Ukraine lacking planes and missiles to counter Russian air attacks, including with guided air bombs.

Addressing suggestions that Poland had already provided Ukraine with all possible assistance in the war’s early months and that “Kyiv no longer counts on Warsaw,” Duda acknowledged there was “some truth to this.”

However, he maintained that he takes no offense, stating that “politics is not about taking offense but about building tactics for further action.”

“We could expect the situation to evolve this way since we gave what we could – we did it quickly and gave what was needed then. And I consider this a great pride for Poland,” Duda said. “But two years have passed since then, and I must say with regret that life is brutal: Ukraine must continue to fight, and we cannot transfer large quantities of post-Soviet weapons because we’ve already given what we could.”

The Polish President clarified that Warsaw cannot transfer newly purchased weapons, referring to the multi-billion dollar arms deals with South Korea. “A responsible politician cannot transfer such equipment,” Duda emphasized, noting these purchases were made to strengthen Poland’s own security.

Poland has been one of Ukraine’s most significant military supporters in the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Warsaw has provided:

Over 300 T-72 and PT-91 tanks, followed by Leopard 2 tanks
Krab self-propelled artillery units
A portion of its MiG-29 fleet

In total, Poland provided more than 45 military aid packages worth over $4 billion.

Recently, Duda confirmed that Poland would not transfer weapons purchased from South Korea, including approximately 1,000 K2 tanks, over 600 K9 self-propelled artillery units, about 300 K239 artillery systems, and 48 FA-50 fighters. Some of this military equipment will be manufactured in Poland under technology transfer agreements.

The President reaffirmed that Poland’s substantial military assistance to Ukraine in the war’s early months aligned with Poland’s interests, emphasizing that an independent Ukraine is in accordance with Polish security interests.

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