Poland has agreed to transfer two more MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine as the country continues to phase out its Soviet-designed combat aircraft, just days after the tenth F-35A based on Polish territory arrived at Łask Air Base.
Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski confirmed on October 29 that an agreement had been reached with Ukraine for the two aircraft. Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz later said both MiG-29s were being withdrawn after reaching the end of their operational service lives.
The condition of the two aircraft is different. One has already exhausted its flight-hour limit and is expected to serve primarily as a source of spare parts, while the other remains capable of flying.
The transfer is considerably smaller than a deal discussed between Warsaw and Kyiv in late 2025. Poland had considered sending its remaining MiG-29s to Ukraine in exchange for access to Ukrainian drone and missile technologies, but negotiations subsequently encountered disagreements over the aircraft and the proposed technological cooperation.
Fewer MiGs needed
Ukraine's requirements have also changed. According to Zalewski, Kyiv's interest in additional MiG-29s has declined as it increasingly focuses on Western combat aircraft such as the F-16 and Mirage 2000.
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The fate of Poland's other MiG-29s has not yet been decided. Discussions with Ukraine continue, while Bulgaria has also expressed interest in acquiring some of the aircraft, according to Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Poland has already transferred MiG-29s to Ukraine since 2023. The remaining aircraft are among the last Soviet-designed fighters in Polish service, whose missions are progressively passing to newer types including the F-16, FA-50 and F-35A.
While the MiG-29 fleet approaches the end of its Polish career, deliveries of the country's most advanced fighter are accelerating.
Ten F-35s now in Poland
The tenth Polish F-35A Husarz to be based in the country arrived at the 32nd Tactical Air Base at Łask on October 27. The aircraft, numbered 3518, is the second Polish F-35 assembled at the Final Assembly and Check Out facility in Cameri, Italy.
Its arrival came five months after the first three F-35As reached Poland in May. Another five arrived in August and the ninth followed in October.
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The ten aircraft at Łask do not represent the entire Polish F-35 fleet. Eight earlier jets remain in the United States, where they support the training of Polish pilots and maintenance personnel.
Meanwhile, aircraft 3520, identified as Poland's 20th F-35A, completed its first flight at Cameri on October 15. Poland is expected to have 14 F-35As on its territory by the end of 2026, followed by another 12 arrivals in 2027.
Poland ordered 32 F-35As in January 2020 under a US$4.6 billion contract. The aircraft will equip two squadrons at Łask and Świdwin as the Polish Air Force completes one of the largest fighter fleet transitions in its recent history.
