First Polish MiG-29s arrive in Ukraine
The first of a number of Polish MiG-29 combat aircraft have arrived in Ukraine, an aide to the Polish president said on Monday.
Last month Poland told Ukraine that it was willing to hand over a number of MiG-29s. Although dating back to the Soviet era the MiGs have the advantage that Ukrainian pilots are familiar with them and therefore can fly them with little or no training.
Marcin Przydacz, head of the Polish president's International Policy Bureau, was asked during an interview with the RMF FM radio station whether the first of the MiGs had already arrived in Ukraine. "According to my information, this process has already ended - in the sense of handing over the first delivery," Przydacz replied.
"The Ukrainian side will certainly seek further support, several MiGs have already been sent, they are indeed helpful to Ukraine in defending the security of all of us," Przydacz said.
He added that talks during the visit of Volodymyr Zelensky to Warsaw on Wednesday will include discussions on further support for Ukraine.
On March 17, President Andrzej Duda declared that "within the next few days" Poland would hand over four MiG-29s to Ukraine.
"The others are being serviced, prepared and will probably be successively handed over," he said. A day later, Slovakia also announced it would transfer MiGs to Ukraine. The Slovaks will deliver 13 aircraft, some of which will probably serve as a source for spare parts.
The equipment gap caused by Poland’s decision to send MiGs to Ukraine will be covered by deliveries of new combat aircraft.
In addition to 48 FA-50 Fighting Eagles produced in South Korea - the first of which are expected to reach Poland this year - 32 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning IIs will be delivered in 2024-2025. (PAP)
