Summary：**Nine jets for drone tech: the Polish‑Ukrainian barter that collapsed in June is alive again, Polis

**Nine jets for drone tech: the Polish‑Ukrainian barter that collapsed in June is alive again, Polish minister says – Euromaidan Press**

**Introduction**
Poland’s defense minister announced on Tuesday that a stalled exchange—nine combat‑ready fighter jets for a batch of Ukrainian‑made unmanned aerial systems—has been revived after a June breakdown. The renewed deal, framed as a strategic barter rather than a cash transaction, aims to bolster Kyiv’s reconnaissance capabilities while giving Warsaw access to cutting‑edge drone technology developed amid the ongoing conflict.

**Key Developments**
According to Minister Mariusz Błaszczak, negotiations resumed last week following intensive talks between Poland’s Ministry of National Defence and Ukraine’s State Aerospace Enterprise. The original proposal, unveiled in May, offered Poland nine MiG‑29s in return for Ukraine’s “Orlan‑10” and “Bayraktar TB2” derivatives. After logistical and licensing hurdles caused the agreement to falter in June, both sides revised the scope: the jets will now be delivered in a phased manner, with the first three aircraft slated for transfer by year‑end, while Ukraine will supply a total of 150 tactical drones equipped with upgraded payloads and encrypted communication links. The minister emphasized that the arrangement remains strictly barter‑based, with no direct financial exchange, thereby sidestepping EU sanctions on arms sales to conflict zones.

**Industry Analysis**
Defense analysts note that the swap reflects a broader trend of Eastern European nations leveraging surplus legacy aircraft to acquire asymmetric capabilities. Poland’s MiG‑29s—though aging—offerable to supplement its dwindling air fleet, especially for air‑defense interception and limited strike roles. Conversely, Warsaw gains access to Ukrainian drone software that has proven effective in electronic warfare and reconnaissance, a domain where NATO members have identified capability gaps. The deal also underscores the growing importance of “defense‑as‑service” models, where partner states trade hardware for software, maintenance, or training rather than cash, preserving fiscal flexibility amid strained budgets.

**Future Outlook**
If the revised timeline holds, Poland could have its first batch of MiG‑29s operational in Ukraine by early 2026, while Ukrainian drone squadrons are expected to receive the initial tranche of upgraded systems by mid‑2025. Both governments have signaled openness to expanding the arrangement, potentially including