Why Ukraine Suddenly Appears To Have Dozens of MiG-29 Fighter Jets

Yes, the US rejected Polish and other eastern European countries' proposals to transfer MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. 

But it did not prohibit the transfer of components for those jets. Nor did it specify how large or almost complete those 'components' might be. JL 

Daily Kos reports:

When was the last time Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy or anyone else begged the West for MiG-29s? Allies have emptied their stocks of Soviet-era aircraft for Ukraine, so it can now focus on other needs. Ukraine suddenly appears to have dozens of MiG-29s in the air. The official explanation is that western allies sent “spare parts” to repair MiGs destroyed during Russia’s initial bombardment of Ukrainian airfields wink-wink. Between Poland, Bulgaria, and Slovakia, there were 55 potential MiG-29s for Ukraine, though many of were reportedly not in airworthy condition. Would be nothing to disassemble them into “spare parts” to reassemble back in Ukraine

You may have noticed a great deal of Ukrainian MiG-29 videos the last few days. 

Ukraine suddenly appears to have dozens of MiG-29s in the air. The official explanation is that western allies sent “spare parts” to repair MiGs destroyed during Russia’s initial bombardment of Ukrainian airfields wink-wink. Between Poland, Bulgaria, and Slovakia, there were 55 potential MiG-29s for Ukraine, though many of those were reportedly not in airworthy condition. Would be nothing to disassemble them into “spare parts” to reassemble back in Ukraine. In fact, I’d bet on it. 

One last bit of circumstantial evidence—when was the last time Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy or anyone else begged the West for MiG-29s? In fact, the last few weeks have all been about MLRS, MLRS, MLRS. Odds are good allies have emptied their stocks of Soviet-era aircraft for Ukraine, so it can now focus on other needs. 

Biden’s aid announcement next week should prove incredibly interesting. In addition to more artillery cannons and MLRS rockets, look to see if the U.S. bolsters Western shipments of Harpoon anti-ship missiles from Denmark and the U.K. Denmark doesn’t have the longest-range versions of the missile, but it has rare land-based launchers. If the U.S. provides the newest versions of the missile, Russia’s massive naval base in Sevastopol, at the southern tip of Crimea, will suddenly be in range and in play. 

It will also be interesting to see if Patriot air defense rockets are included. The problem is training—maintenance technicians require a year training just for basic proficiency. If the United States provides them, Ukraine will need Western contract personnel to handle maintenance and on-the-job training. Finally, Ukraine’s biggest need aside from artillery is armor. American tanks are a logistical nightmare, even using jet fuel to power its turbine engines. Maintaining them requires six months of training for basic proficiency. But M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles could be an easier lift (the U.S. has over 6,000, and they’re being phased out), not to mention hundreds more Humvees, M113s, and other armored transport vehicles.