The German government has authorized Poland to export five MiG 29 fighter jets from former East German military stockpiles to Ukraine. Germany had given the warplanes designed by the Soviet Union to Poland in 2003 and Warsaw had asked Berlin if Ukraine could use them against the Russians. "This shows that you can count on Germany," said Defense Secretary Boris Pistorius.

Poland is one of the most outspoken supporters of supplying military equipment to Ukraine. The country previously sent Soviet-era munitions and tanks and has now delivered eight MiG 29 fighter jets to Ukraine, with six more on its way.

President Andrzej Duda said earlier this month that Poland will eventually transfer its entire fleet of about 30 aircraft to its eastern neighbour, but part of it has yet to receive an already ordered replacement. Since the Ukrainian army uses the same type of fighter aircraft, the aircraft can in principle be deployed immediately.

Germany has supplied Ukraine with a wide variety of weapons in the past year, including main battle tanks, armored infantry fighting vehicles, anti-aircraft guns, multiple rocket launchers and advanced anti-missile systems. After initial criticism of what was described as a slow response to Russia's invasion, Germany is now one of Kyiv's largest arms suppliers, along with the US and the UK.

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* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)