Germany authorizes five MiG-29s to Poland amid NATO talks
Germany moved decisively this time, authorizing the transfer of five MiG-29 fighter jets to Poland. The aircraft come from the former East German air force and are part of a 2002 batch of 22 MiG-29s that Germany had earmarked for Poland after the German reunification. The sale was framed as a test of reliability and a sign of Berlin’s willingness to support its partners in Europe during a period of heightened tension with Russia.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed the approval, noting that the request arrived at his department and that Berlin is pleased to confirm the move. The gesture aligns with Poland’s ongoing push to strengthen its air capability in coordination with regional allies. Poland has consistently pressed for improved access to Western-manufactured air power, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visiting Warsaw in recent weeks to discuss further cooperation.
The five MiG-29s come from the 2002 batch that was part of the broader postwar reorganization of Germany. Under the original terms of the contract, any sale or transfer to a third country required Berlin’s permission. The current decision underscores Berlin’s willingness to support allied defense needs while navigating the legal and logistical steps involved in such transfers.
Leopard 2 tanks mirror the same pattern
The situation mirrors a prior sequence involving Leopard 2 tanks. Germany faced international pressure to approve a delivery that would bolster Ukraine and its NATO partners. Although the decision took longer than some expected, Berlin ultimately gave the green light, enabling the transfer of Leopard 2 tanks to front-line forces and allied units across Europe.
With Germany’s authorization, Leopard 2 tanks have reached Poland, Finland, Spain, Portugal, and Canada, among others. The United States has pledged to supply equivalent U.S. manufactured armor to meet allied needs. The convoy of Western-made tanks aims to strengthen the coalition’s ability to conduct on-ground operations in the region.
Warplanes controversy and policy
Washington has remained cautious about delivering combat aircraft directly, fearing it could imply active NATO participation in the conflict against Russia. Berlin has shared that concern, expressing that sending Western fighters could be perceived as a deeper commitment to the war effort. Yet reports indicate that the government under Olaf Scholz recognizes the potential strategic value of MiG-29s, given their Soviet heritage and the possibility for Ukrainian pilots to operate them.
Poland supplied the first four MiG-29s, additional units not part of the earlier German deal, to Ukraine by the end of March. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki signaled plans to procure six more fighters immediately and potentially secure additional units in the longer term, possibly sourced from East German stock if available. This move aligns with Poland’s broader defense strategy, which also includes a 2020 agreement to acquire modern U.S.-made F-35 fighters, with deliveries expected to begin in 2025 as part of a multi-year modernization program.
Poland maintains that increasing its air power does not diminish its overall capability. The country is integrating modern U.S. and allied systems while maintaining a robust force structure compatible with NATO operations. The ongoing exchanges reflect a broader Western effort to coordinate arms transfers in response to regional security demands while respecting the sovereignty and procurement rules of each contributing nation.
As the defense landscape evolves, the alliance continues to balance the need for rapid support with the constraints of international diplomacy and alliance-wide guarantees. The evolving mix of aircraft and armored systems illustrates a strategy to bolster deterrence and rapid response capabilities across the region, ensuring credible defense postures for Poland, Ukraine, and their partners.