For at least the second time in two years, Poland is signaling its willingness to transfer to Ukraine all its remaining Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters. Warsaw has already given Kyiv 14 of the approximately 29 MiGs it possessed prior to 2022.
The Ukrainian air force, which just lost another of its precious few Sukhoi Su-27s, would welcome the MiGs. The twin-engine, supersonic MiG-29 lacks the range of the heavier Su-27. But the MiG’s limited combat range—around 500 miles, half that of the Su-27—isn’t a huge liability in Ukraine’s war of self-defense over its own territory.
In Ukrainian service, the MiGs and Sukhois mostly perform the same roles: air-defense against cruise missiles and drones, precision ground attack with satellite-guided glide bombs and defense-suppression with AGM-88 radar-homing missiles.
The main difference between the types is availability. Ukraine is running out of Su-27s. By contrast, its reserve of MiG-29s is much bigger, especially if Poland sends another 15 airframes.
“Negotiations are ongoing with the Ukrainian side regarding the transfer of MiG-29 aircraft,” the Polish general staff announced Tuesday. Whether the offer is serious remains to be seen. Warsaw wants Ukrainian missile technology in exchange.
