Poland is prepared to send at least 29 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine once technical and logistical arrangements are finalised, the country’s foreign minister has confirmed, according to the Ukrainian news portal Espreso.tv.
Radosław Sikorski, who also serves as deputy prime minister, told the outlet that Warsaw had previously agreed a timetable for the transfer during Andrzej Duda’s presidency, but said something changed on the Ukrainian side. He suggested that an offer of Swedish Gripen jets to Kyiv may have contributed to the delay in earlier negotiations.
“We are talking about at least 29 aircraft. This was the subject of my efforts during President Andrzej Duda’s presidency. A timetable for their transfer was even agreed, but something changed on the Ukrainian side,” Sikorski said, according to Espreso.tv.
The minister added that two Ukrainian technical delegations have already visited Poland to discuss the matter. “As far as I know, these aircraft are indeed available for transfer from our side,” he said.
No Polish troops for Ukraine
During the same interview, Sikorski reiterated that Poland has no intention of deploying troops to Ukraine during the war. He said there is a consensus in Poland against such a move, and pointed to recent controversy over President Volodymyr Zelensky naming a Ukrainian military unit after the “Heroes of the UPA” – a reference to a wartime nationalist force accused of atrocities against Poles – as an example of why Warsaw remains cautious.
“In Poland, there is a consensus not to send troops to Ukraine. I think the dispute over the name of one Ukrainian military unit shows everyone why we are cautious,” Sikorski said, according to the portal.
The foreign minister said that Ukraine would only be satisfied with the presence of Polish troops for the first month, and that such a step could lead to problems later. He emphasised that neither Poland nor any other EU or NATO member state is considering sending forces to Ukraine during the conflict.
Maintenance problems hamper Ukraine’s existing fleet
The declaration comes as Ukraine faces significant challenges maintaining its current fleet of F-16s. At the end of September, the Wall Street Journal reported that more than half of Ukraine’s F-16 jets are grounded in Belgium due to lengthy servicing times.
The newspaper, citing a Western source, said the issue stems from a US-arranged contract with Belgian firm Sabena Aerospace Engineering. Periodic inspections required after 300 hours of flight time are taking up to 40 weeks in Belgium, compared to two to six weeks in the United States, according to retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery quoted by the Journal.
Ukrainian outlet Defense Express has reported that Ukraine currently possesses 39 F-16s delivered by the Netherlands and Denmark. Belgium has pledged to supply 30 more by 2028, though none have yet arrived from Brussels, according to Le Soir.
Sikorski told Espreso.tv that Poland is focusing on supporting Ukraine through logistics, joint exercises and training. He confirmed that in November, so-called coalition of the willing manoeuvres are scheduled to take place with participation from French, German and British forces.
“We are convinced that both the transfer of fighters and establishing the best possible cooperation in the field of drones and their countermeasures are justified,” the minister said.
What this means for Poles in the UK
The potential transfer of 29 F-16 jets represents a significant contribution by Poland to Ukraine’s air defence capabilities and underscores Warsaw’s role as one of Kyiv’s most committed backers. For Poles living in the UK, this development highlights Poland’s continued military engagement in the region and its position as a key NATO ally on the alliance’s eastern flank.
The decision not to send Polish troops to Ukraine, despite the offer of military hardware, reflects the careful balancing act Warsaw is maintaining. Historical sensitivities, such as the recent dispute over naming a Ukrainian unit after the UPA, continue to shape bilateral relations even as Poland provides substantial military aid.
As Poland invests heavily in its own defence modernisation while supporting Ukraine, the country’s strategic importance within NATO continues to grow, which may have implications for security cooperation between Poland and the UK in the years ahead.
