UK is ready to help Poland strengthen air defense against the background of the MiG-29 transfer to Ukraine

The United Kingdom is ready to help strengthen Poland’s air defense.

The country is willing to fill the gaps in the defense of the country’s airspace, which arose after Warsaw transferred part of its MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine.

British Deputy Defense Minister James Heappey made a corresponding statement in an interview with Die Welt.

He emphasized that Poland’s decision to transfer MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine was a big step.

In his opinion, the transfer of these combat aircraft is the best solution for the Ukrainian military, because, according to him, the Armed Forces of Ukraine need aircraft that Ukrainian pilots already know how to operate.

“We will look very positively at Poland’s request to fill in the gaps. We did this when Warsaw first delivered T-72 tanks to Ukraine, and we then sent Challenger 2 tanks to Poland. The same applies to fighter jets,” he said.

However, James Heappey notes: so far, the British government has not received an application for such assistance from Warsaw.

Although, it is not specified whether it regards the direct transfer of fighter jets, or patrolling of Polish airspace by British aircraft on a rotating basis.

Last week it became known that Poland planned to hand over the first four MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine in the following days and later all of its aircraft of that type. Andrzej Duda, President of Poland, announced: “First of all, literally over the next few days, we will hand over to Ukraine, as far as I remember, four planes in full working order.”

Besides, he added that the rest of the aircraft was currently undergoing maintenance. And, after completing the necessary works, they would also be handed over to Ukraine.

The exact number of aircraft ready to be transferred has not been disclosed, but it is reported that the Polish Air Force has 26 MiG-29 fighter jets in various states of readiness.

Ukrainian pilots have extensive experience in using of MiG-29 fighter jets. Therefore, these aircraft from the allies should help the Ukrainian Air Force control the airspace and intercept Russian air targets, such as airplanes and helicopters, UAVs and cruise missiles.