Poland will deliver planes to Ukraine in a few weeks, but expects UK typhoons to replace them

Poland has pledged to provide Ukraine with fighter jets in “four to six weeks”, a move that could see British Typhoon jets take their place.

The country’s prime minister yesterday set a deadline for the supply of MiG-29s, which would provide Ukraine with a big boost.

Their pilots are used to the aircraft because it is also part of their air force, while learning to operate unknown British and American planes will take many months.

Poland hopes that its NATO allies, including the UK, will transfer surplus aircraft to replace the MiG-29s.

The UK has up to 30 Typhoon ‘Tranche 1’ aircraft due to be withdrawn from service by 2025.

Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has previously suggested he is willing to send Typhoons to Eastern European countries, replenishing their contributions to Ukraine’s fighter jet fleet.

Asked when this process could start, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said yesterday: “That could happen in the next four to six weeks.”

Slovakia may also send its MiG-29s as part of the same deal.

Poland has already shipped 14 German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Its officials indicated that it would send fewer MiG-29s.

Just weeks after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Poland made the same promise to donate fighter jets to its neighbor, but the US scrapped the plan for fear it could escalate the conflict.

A year later, it is understood that the US supports such an initiative. However, it is not clear why the provision of MiG-29s from various Eastern European NATO members to Ukraine has not occurred already if this is the case.