The head of the German Ministry of Defense, Boris Pistorius, said on Thursday that Germany had agreed to Poland to transfer five former German MiG-29 fighters used by the Polish Air Force to Ukraine. The spokesman of this ministry informed a few hours earlier that Poland had asked for such consent.
Announcing his decision, Pistorius added that the Polish request reached the ministry on Thursday, and the decision was made on the same day, which – according to him – shows that Germany you can rely on.
In 2004, Germany handed over 22 used MiG-i-29s to Poland due to their withdrawal from the Luftwaffe. 14 were commissioned. Re-export of these fighters to Ukraine requires the consent of Germany.
The Polish Air Force has 29 such fighters. Apart from the post-German ones, some of them were purchased from the Soviet Union, and some were acquired in the 1990s as part of an exchange with Czechs.
Fighters for Ukraine
The first four Polish MiGs arrived in Ukraine in early April. President Andrzej Duda he announced then that the next four “are already being handed over”, and Poland is ready to hand over another six.
MiG-29 fighters were also transferred to Ukraine Slovakia.
Polish MiG-29Adam Warżawa/PAP
Main photo source: Adam Warżawa/PAP