Slovakia promised to transfer Soviet MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Slovak government during his stay in Brussels.

The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Eduard Heger, said that his country would do everything possible to transfer its MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine. It is reported that Zelensky at the EU summit turned to Heger and asked for military assistance.

How many aircraft can Ukraine get

According to preliminary data, Ukraine can receive 11 or 12 aircraft, which are now in Slovakia.

“The Prime Minister of the Republic replied that Slovakia will do its best to comply with this request,” the message says.

Talks about the transfer of MiG-29 to Ukraine from Slovakia have been going on for several months. At the end of 2022, the head of the Slovak Foreign Ministry, Rastislav Kacher, said that Slovakia wants to discuss with NATO the transfer of fighters to Ukraine.

Kacher announced that a delegation from Ukraine should arrive in Slovakia and, together with partners from the United States, work will begin on the transfer of aircraft . The head of the Slovak Foreign Ministry stated that he was positive.

At the end of January, Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nagy spoke about the transfer of fighters. He said that Slovakia is ready to discuss with representatives of Ukraine the details of the transfer of its MiG-29 fighters.

He said that from October 1, 2022, Slovakia no longer uses the MiG-29. Nagy emphasized that Bratislava is ready to transfer these aircraft to Ukraine so that it can defend itself.

Why MiG-29s will strengthen Ukraine

• Soviet MiG-29 aircraft are in service with the Air Force APU. Therefore, the Ukrainian military does not need to undergo additional military exercises, as is the case with Western fighters.
• At the same time, the MiG-29 is a direct analogue of the F-16, which Ukraine seeks to obtain, although the Soviet aircraft is somewhat inferior to the characteristics of the American fighter .
• The advantage of the MiG-29 over the F-16 is the range and payload weight. However, the MiG-29 is significantly inferior in electronics and control systems.
• The MiG-29 is also a fourth-generation multirole fighter, like the F-16. The MiG-29 is armed with a 30 mm aircraft gun and its ammunition capacity is 150 rounds. You can also hang up to six missiles and bombs on the plane.