Ukraine may get competitor in fight for Polish MiG-29 fighters — although negotiations with Kyiv on these aircraft continue, Warsaw received request for Soviet fighters remaining in its assets from NATO member country. Polish Deputy Minister of National Defense Paweł Ksawery Zalewski reported this.
On Radio ZET, answering question whether Polish government considers transferring MiG-29 fighters to another country, he noted "we received proposal from one of our NATO allies," but emphasized negotiations with Ukraine are primary in this matter. Zalewski declined to specify which country is interested in obsolete aircraft Poland has, although host directly asked about Bulgaria.
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Worth noting that answering radio journalist's question about whether anyone in Kyiv said clearly and unambiguously that Ukraine will not transfer drone technologies to Poland in exchange for fighters, Zalewski clearly noted this is some fabrication, adding Polish companies are also involved in forming Ukrainian drone technologies.
Subsequently he noted there are no problems with access to Ukrainian technologies, but discussions continue on how MiG fighters can be transferred to Ukraine.
Although worth noting publicly conflict (if it can be called that) over Polish MiGs began with Warsaw repeatedly complaining Poles will not transfer MiG-29s to Ukraine because Kyiv did not agree to fulfill proposal arrangements. Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz specifically spoke about this.
Also recall this is overall not first time topic was voiced that another country besides Ukraine may become interested in Polish MiG-29 fighters — previously Polish defense department spoke about great interest in these aircraft in Europe, although in fact only Bulgaria remains among real candidates given this involves NATO member country (previously there was also unlikely Serbia variant).
Variant where Poland itself operates these MiG-29s until the last also remained relevant, although given Zalewski's statements, one can indirectly conclude such scenario is unlikely.
Ultimately, as of today it is known that after small public conflict over MiG-29s, Ukraine and Poland supposedly resumed negotiations on these aircraft. It was also previously reported cornerstone of these negotiations proved to be Polish fighters' technical condition, which Ukrainian specialists deemed extremely unsatisfactory.
At the same time, despite critical Polish MiG-29 condition, they can still be modernized — Poland agrees to conduct this work provided financing is found, which is currently one of main negotiation questions.
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