According to information published by the “POLITICO” website on March 6, 2022, the United States confirms a plan with Poland to supply MiG-29 fighter aircraft to Ukraine, and in turn, Poland will receive F-16 fighter jets. Poland’s bid to procure the American F-35 stealth fighter aircraft was approved in 2019 by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. These will replace Poland’s MiG-29s and Su-22s.
On February 2, 2022, Army Recognition had reported, that Polish Government had approved the delivery of local-made Piorun GROM-M MANPADS man-portable air defense missile systems to Ukraine following the tensions with Russia.
According to the Military Balance 2021, the Polish Air Force has a total of 29 MiG-29 including 22 MiG-29A Fulcrum and 7 MiG-29UB Fulcrum. Ukraine has also MiG-29 Fulcrum in its Air Force inventory, it will therefore not be necessary to train pilots and mechanics for maintenance.
The MiG-29 fighter is equipped with seven external weapon hardpoints. The aircraft can carry up to
– Two R-27 air-to-air medium-range missiles
– Six R-73 and R-60 air-to-air short-range missiles
– Four pods of S-5, S-8, S-24 unguided rockets
– Air bombs weighing up to 3,000kg and 30mm built-in aircraft gun with 150 rounds of ammunition.