Back in 2003, Romania retired 18 of its MiG-29 fighter aircraft citing a seemingly absurd reason: the deadline for the overhaul of these fighters was nearing, but the Ministry of Defense of Romania decided that committing to capital repairs was inexpedient.
When the full-scale war in Ukraine broke out, all 18 fighters were still mothballed, giving rise to a speculation on Romanian military-themed websites that these stored MiG-29s could potentially bolster the Ukrainian Armed Forces against Russian aggression.
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Until recently, no concrete assumptions or public confirmations existed regarding this possibility. However, an article by Defense Romania has reignited interest in this topic, providing intriguing insights.
The article mentions that Poland, under a security agreement with Ukraine, promised to supply up to two dozen MiG-29s to the Ukrainian Air Force, contingent on certain conditions. This potential deal could significantly enhance Ukraine's air capabilities, even if the aircraft in question is of the older Warsaw Pact-era standard.
Defense Romania, however, laments that Romania cannot offer similar support due to its decommissioning of MiG-29s in 2003. Here's where the most interesting part begins.
Romania's inability to repair its MiG-29s in 2003 stemmed from the fact that according to supply agreements, nearly all steps regarding the MiG-29s required coordination with Moscow, including major repairs. As a new NATO member, it was more straightforward for Romania to withdraw the MiG-29s from service rather than engage with Russia for their repair.
But then, the article notes one interesting detail: Romania retained the right to freely use MiG-29 spare parts without consulting with Moscow, the original supplier of these aircraft. This detail raises questions about the current status and potential use of these "spare parts." Defense Romania does not specify the whereabouts or current use of the MiG-29 components.
This ambiguity allows for various interpretations, including the possibility that the components of Romania's retired MiG-29s might somehow contribute to strengthening Ukrainian aviation. Even if Bucharest would never officially acknowledge such a contribution.
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