Poland to retire MiG-29 fleet, ending planned swap with Ukraine

Poland has decided to phase out its MiG-29 fighter jets rather than transfer them to Ukraine. The aircraft, in service since 1989, are reaching the end of their operational life and will be decommissioned without further upgrades.

The original proposal involved an exchange: Poland would give the jets to Kyiv in return for Ukrainian drone technology. Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz says Ukraine has not delivered the promised drones, attributing the failure to historic disputes and domestic political considerations. The stalled deal has led Poland to retain the jets until they are retired, with no publicly disclosed timeline for removal from service.