Slovakia’s defense leadership has signaled openness to transferring its MiG-29 fighter aircraft to Ukraine, noting that the country no longer relies on these jets as part of its air defense. The head of the Slovak Ministry of Defense clarified that the MiG-29 fleet could either be sold or delivered to Kyiv, where officials say the aircraft could offer tangible military value. He stressed, however, that no final decision has been made and that any such move would require careful consideration of strategic, political, and logistical factors.
Earlier discussions centered on a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to receive the MiG-29 fighters that Slovakia has withdrawn from service. Zelensky raised the issue during a meeting with Slovak Acting Prime Minister Eduard Heger on the margins of an emergency European Union summit. Heger indicated that Slovakia would do its utmost to respond positively to Ukraine’s request, while underscoring the broader context of alliance support and regional security considerations.
Slovakia began retiring its MiG-29 aircraft in August 2022 as part of a broader plan to modernize its air force with new platforms. The intention at that time was to replace the aging MiGs with more advanced American F-16s, reflecting a trend among several NATO allies to standardize equipment and strengthen interoperability within the alliance. In the contemporary discussion, the Slovak side has suggested that sending the fighters to Ukraine could bolster Kyiv’s air capability, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict and the need for allied air assets to support ground operations and protect critical infrastructure. The dialogue has touched on the practical steps required to transfer aircraft, including maintenance, pilot transition, and the legal frameworks governing military aid and arms transfers among allied nations. Opinions in Slovakia about the best path forward vary, with some emphasizing immediate military support to Ukraine and others urging a cautious approach that maintains balanced national defense priorities and future defense planning.