Speaking at a news conference, Kosiniak-Kamysz, who also serves as a deputy prime minister, said the Polish air force plans to hand over its remaining MiG-29s to support Ukraine's war effort.
He added that the aircraft "are nearing the end of their lifespan" and "wouldn't be used in Polish military operations anyway."
In return, Poland would be able to draw on Ukraine’s drone and anti-drone capabilities, including "the possibility to transfer these technologies to Poland," he said.
His comments came a day after the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces said the jets "have reached their planned service life" and are "not being earmarked for further modernisation."
The General Staff said a possible donation would be part of broader allied efforts to support Ukraine and strengthen the security of NATO's eastern flank.
Poland has already donated 14 MiG-29s—half of its original fleet—to Ukraine, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The remaining jets are stationed in the northern town of Malbork, where they have been involved in intercepting unidentified Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea, it said.
The MiG-29s, post-Soviet aircraft that Poland has operated since 1989, are being phased out replaced by South Korean FA-50 fighters and US F-35 multirole jets.
Donating the remaining MiG-29s would mark the end of post-Soviet aircraft in the Polish military.
For now, Poland's most advanced fighter jets are its 47 US-made F-16s, stationed in the central town of Łask and at Poznań-Krzesiny Air Base in the west.
For Ukraine, the MiG-29 remains a core part of its fleet. The Ukrainian air force operates roughly 40 of the jets, according to Polish media.
(pm/gs)
Source PAP, wp.pl