Poland is finalizing an agreement to transfer two Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in exchange for access to Ukrainian drone and anti-drone technology, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk announced on Nov. 10, as reported by The Kyiv Independent.
The exchange ties the delivery of two remaining airframes to reciprocal technological access, following months of complex diplomatic and military negotiations between Warsaw and Kyiv.
Poland Trades MiG-29 Jets for Drone Technology Expertise
- Poland is arranging to transfer two MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in exchange for domestic drone and anti-drone production expertise.
- The latest bilateral agreement establishes formal joint working groups on unmanned aerial technology, overseen by Polish and Ukrainian defense officials.
- In 2022, Russia began its full-scale invasion, and following this, Warsaw became the pioneering nation to provide Kyiv with fighter aircraft by delivering 14 MiG-29 airframes in the spring of 2023.
Officials Sign Agreement for Drone Technology Exchange
The bilateral framework took shape after Cezary Tomczyk and Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Serhii Boyev signed an agreement establishing joint working groups on drone and anti-drone technologies, according to The Kyiv Independent. Tomczyk announced the development on X during a diplomatic mission to Kyiv alongside General Karol Domanowski, the first deputy chief of the Polish General Staff.
Poland is finalising a deal to transfer two MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine in exchange for access to Ukrainian drone and counter-drone technology, Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk said in Kyiv. The two countries have agreed to set up joint working groups on those technologies.… pic.twitter.com/H7Or0VNWQ9
“We are finalizing arrangements for the transfer of Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine in exchange for access to Ukrainian drone and anti-drone technologies,” Tomczyk said.
This diplomatic progression follows earlier friction in bilateral defense talks. In December 2025, Warsaw initially signaled openness to transferring its remaining Soviet-designed inventory in exchange for technical expertise in drone and missile production. However, friction emerged in June when Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz paused the initiative, claiming Kyiv had not fulfilled prior commitments regarding technology sharing.
Military Aid Package Includes Munitions and Tactical Hardware
Complementing the aircraft transfer, the broader military assistance package includes additional munitions and tactical hardware. On Oct. 29, the specifics of this expanded backing were verified to Rzeczpospolita by Dariusz Łukowski, who directs the Strategy and Defense Planning Department at the Polish Ministry of National Defense, as covered by the Kyiv Post.
| Military Asset | Origin / Details | Status in Aid Framework |
|---|---|---|
| MiG-29 Fighter Jets | Soviet-era fourth-generation aircraft | 2 airframes pending transfer for drone tech |
| Artillery Ammunition | 155mm and 152mm calibers | Included in €50 million aid package |
| Piorun Missiles | MANPADS interceptor systems | Included in Polish Ministry of Defense package |
Simultaneously, state-controlled industrial group Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) is evaluating infrastructure capabilities to provide depot-level maintenance for Ukraine’s mixed fleet of Western and Soviet aircraft, as detailed by Army Recognition. Utilizing facilities like WZL-2 in Bydgoszcz, PGZ aims to manage complex structural inspections for airframes operating under high-intensity combat conditions.
❗️UKRAINE TO TRANSFER ANTI-DRONE TECH TO POLAND FOR MiG-29s Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk stated that Ukraine has agreed to provide Poland with counter-drone technologies. In exchange, Poland will transfer two MiG-29 fighters. The deal is nearly finalized, with… pic.twitter.com/tapkjeuFR8
President Nawrocki Supports MiG Exchange for Anti-Drone Systems
Polish President Karol Nawrocki expressed support for the reciprocal exchange in principle during his December 2025 meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Warsaw, noting that the swap aligned with national security priorities, as reported by Kyiv Post.
“I want to remind you that my scope of responsibilities is to take care of the interests of Polish soldiers, especially those from Malbork, who are wondering what will happen to the MiGs,” Nawrocki told Kyiv Post.
“This exchange of MiGs for anti-drone systems does not contradict our policy. So, after resolving the formal issues, I think this issue will be resolved,” Nawrocki added.
While the administrative framework moves forward, the Polish defense ministry has not disclosed the full logistical inventory of the upcoming shipments, citing ongoing operational confidentiality.
BIG | 🇺🇦🇵🇱‼️‼️ UKRAINE TO SHARE COMBAT DRONE TECHNOLOGY WITH POLAND IN EXCHANGE FOR MiG-29 FIGHTER JETS! Warsaw and Kyiv are reportedly finalizing the details of a defense cooperation agreement that would combine Poland’s military aviation capabilities with Ukraine’s… pic.twitter.com/IDgZGK1tSo
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