Ukraine and Poland are finalising negotiations over the transfer of older Soviet-designed MiG-29 fighter jets in exchange for a batch of drones and advanced technologies for their production. The aircraft could be sent to Ukraine within the next few weeks. Polish outlet Wirtualna Polska, citing sources in the Polish Armed Forces and Ministry of National Defence, reports.
Wirtualna Polska said the two sides had made significant progress after a prolonged deadlock. The agreement would involve Poland supplying Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets in exchange for a large number of drones in various configurations and the transfer of Ukrainian combat know-how.
The aircraft in question are ageing Soviet-built jets with their operational service life almost exhausted. The Polish military is withdrawing them from its Air Force and Warsaw had previously considered sending the aircraft for scrap.
Defence Ministry spokesperson Janusz Sejmej said Warsaw had been seeking cooperation in the drone sector since the beginning of the year. Kyiv, however, was reluctant for some time to accept Warsaw's terms.
Wirtualna Polska claimed that the key information sought by Poland includes data on communication with attack drones, their control systems, video footage of strikes against targets and examples of the equipment itself.
Poland's Ministry of National Defence says the process accelerated after Rustem Umierov was appointed head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tasked him, among other things, with negotiating drone agreements.
Despite the progress, the Polish side remains cautious about the final implementation of the deal. According to a source involved in the negotiations, Ukrainian defence company Fire Point has offered to supply Poland with 1,500 long-range drones, as well as another 1,500 in the event of war breaking out.
"It looks good in theory. However, we realise that in a critical situation, the company could invoke force majeure and say: unfortunately, we are at war, we are unable to fulfil the terms of the agreement and we need this equipment ourselves because we are in a worse position," the Wirtualna Polska source said.
