The British Ministry of Defence is reportedly investigating the supply of Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 1 fighter jets to European MiG-29 operators. The ultimate aim is to replace the Soviet-era MiG 29 planes gifted by these operators to Ukraine, with these advanced Eurofighter aircraft. In parallel, Poland is considering gifting its Soviet-made MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine within the next four to six weeks, a move that would bolster Ukrainian forces’ firepower.
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Gerard van der Schaaf, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
These planes are already familiar to the country’s air force and can be utilized immediately. However, both the UK and Poland have stated that this supply would be part of a larger international coalition. Other countries, including Slovakia, have also declared their readiness to provide their MiG-29 planes to Ukraine, and NATO nations have urged others to come forward.
Despite Britain ruling out direct supply to Ukraine, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey acknowledged the possibility of providing the Tranche 1 aircraft to MiG-29 operators during a committee hearing. Heappy stated that the UK is “absolutely” considering the matter, and elaborated that a few other countries are also “having this debate.” However, the Tranche 1 fleet is due to be retired by the RAF in 2025, which poses a maintenance disadvantage for any third-party operator considering accepting the United Kingdom’s offer.
Poland’s leaders have previously stated that sending the warplanes would only be done within a larger international coalition, adding that Slovakia has also declared readiness to provide its MiG-29 planes to Ukraine, and the two NATO nations have urged others to join in. Slovakia’s MiG-29 fleet is scheduled to be replaced by an order for 14 Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 jets, with delivery of the first plane expected next year.
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