MiG-29AS ‘0921’ at Kecskeméti Nemzetközi Repülőnap 2010, flown by Lt. Col Marian ‘Buker’ Bukovsky, 7 August 2010. By Wikimedia user KGyST.
The Slovak government has approved the delivery of its Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, Prime Minister Eduard Heger announced on March 17.
Slovakia retired its nine MiG-29AS fighter jets and a single MiG-29UBS trainer last summer. The fighter jets were upgraded by Russia’s RAC MiG and Western firms in the past. They were equipped with navigation and communications systems from Rockwell Collins, an identification friend or foe system from BAE Systems, new glass cockpit features multi-function LC displays and digital processors and also fitted to be integrated with Western equipment.
However, now most of the fighter jets are not in operational condition. Those that are operational will be sent to Ukraine, while the rest will go for spare parts.
The Slovak decision came just a day after Poland announced that it will send its own MiG-29s to Ukraine. Both states are members of NATO and have been providing military support to the Kiev regime since the start of the Russian special military operation.
In addition to the MiG-29, Slovakia will also deliver some of its remaining Soviet-made Kub air defense systems to Ukraine. The outdated system has an engagement range of 22 kilometers and an altitude of seven kilometers.
“Today, the government decided and unanimously approved an international agreement (on the donation),” Heger said. “The process of handing over these fighter jets is closely coordinated with the Polish side, with Ukraine and, of course, with other allies.”
According to the PM, Slovakia will receive financial compensation from the European Union. It has also reached an agreement with the United States on deliveries of military equipment worth around $700 million.
Slovakia ordered 14 F-16V fighter jets from the United States in 2018 to replace its MiG-29s. The first planes are expected to arrive some time in 2024. In the meantime, the country’s airspace is being guarded by Polish and Czech fighter jets.
The MiG-29 set to be delivered by Poland and Slovakia will restore some of the capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force. However, they will not likely have any real impact on the battlefield as the Russian Aerospace Forces maintain a large advantage in both quality and quantity.
