Germany approves Poland’s MiG-29 export bid
13 April, 2023 MiG-29 of the German Air Force. Photo from open sources Germany approved Poland's request to export MiG-29 fighters to the Ukrainian Air Force.
According to the Spiegel, the German federal government promised to make a decision this Thursday, after Poland sent a formal bid. Bundestag deputy Marcus Faber noted the quick decision on approval. "It is correct that the federal government did not postpone the decision but made it on the day of the export application.
The Ukrainian side will certainly be pleased with this speed," he said. Faber noted that the German Government has demonstrated that it is able to make balanced and, at the same time, quick decisions.
Marcus Faber. Photo from open sources
"Now we are talking about studying the further contribution of Germany to the strengthening of the Ukrainian Air Force.
This can be, for example, the training of Ukrainian pilots or the supply of Western types of aircraft," Faber added. It means MiG-29 fighters from the old reserves of the German Democratic Republic, which Germany transferred to Poland. MiG-29s were supplied by the GDR between 1988 and 1990.
In total, about 24 fighters were delivered.
MiG-29 fighters of the German Air Force. Photo from open sources
The aircraft were used as part of the East German Armed Forces to patrol the country's airspace and participate in military exercises. GDR's fighters also participated in international aviation events, including air shows.
However, after the unification of Germany in 1990, the fighters were transferred to Germany. Many of these aircraft were sold to other countries, including Poland, India and Kazakhstan. In 2002, Germany sold Poland 23 MiG-29 fighters, which the Bundeswehr received from the National People's Army of the GDR.
However, one MiG-29 still remained in Germany and became an exhibit at the Bundeswehr Museum of Military History - Berlin-Gatow Airfield.
MiG-29 of the German Air Force. The Bundeswehr Museum of Military History - Berlin-Gatow Airfield. Germany.
Photo credits: berlin.museum-digital.de
Polish President Andrzej Duda's security adviser, Jacek Severa, said in late March that the Polish Air Force now has about a dozen of those.