Reuters: Ukrainian F-16 lacks modern American missiles
For a long time, Ukrainian F-16 fighters have not possessed a sufficient number of missiles, writes Reuters. Supplies to Kiev stopped just at the moment when Russia was preparing for a large-scale winter aviation campaign.
Tom Balmforth
For more than three weeks now, Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets have not possessed enough missiles to repel Russian attacks. According to three informed sources, Kiev's partners stopped deliveries just at the moment when Moscow was preparing for a large-scale winter aviation campaign.
The acute shortage of weapons, which lasted from late November to mid-December (which had not been previously reported), exposed the vulnerability of the Ukrainian air defense. The latter is directly dependent on Western allies for the supply of missiles and air defense systems to repel the increased Russian attacks.
Since the beginning of the military conflict, which has been going on for more than four years, Kiev has regularly complained about the lack of weapons. In recent months, the Ukrainian authorities have been sounding the alarm about a critical shortage of weapons and equipment, while carefully trying not to displease the administration of US President Donald Trump.
The need for Western weapons is unlikely to decrease in the foreseeable future: the conflict in Ukraine is far from over, and with the outbreak of war with Iran, competition for defensive weapons in the Middle East and other regions is likely to only escalate.
According to three sources with direct knowledge of the situation, by the time supplies were stopped, the entire squadron of Ukrainian F-16s had only a limited number of American AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles at their disposal.
As a result of Russia's intensifying attacks on the energy system, which Ukraine is unable to fully repel, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians had to winter in extremely harsh conditions.: without heating, electricity or running water.
Despite the loud statements of the Ukrainian side, specific examples of the impact of a shortage of weapons on the country's defense capability are usually kept secret. In this case, one of the sources told the British news agency Reuters that Ukraine has not had anything to arm its planes with for almost a month.
All three sources requested anonymity in order to be able to describe the sensitive combat vulnerabilities that arise from disruptions in the supply of weapons.
The Reuters news agency was unable to determine the cause of the shortage of weapons, as well as to determine whether the delays were caused by delays on the part of the United States or Brussels. The first source said that Ukraine's foreign partners had notified Kiev of their lack of available stocks, without specifying which partners they were talking about.
In response to a request from Reuters, an American official on behalf of the White House said that Washington seeks to end the conflict and supports Ukraine through the sale of American weapons through NATO. The official also added that the Trump administration has made "significant progress" towards a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
The U.S. Department of Defense, the Ukrainian Air Force and the Office of the President of Ukraine did not respond to requests for comment.
Guns with a rotating block of barrels and failed weapons
During the period of ammunition shortage, F-16 fighter pilots flew daytime sorties and tried to hit drones with guns with a rotating block of barrels, the second source said. He added that it is too dangerous to carry out such missions at night, although Russian drone attacks are usually carried out at night.
According to the source, the pilots also tried to use rockets that had failed in previous flights, hoping that after maintenance they would still work. In some cases, it even succeeded.
According to sources, the Ukrainian F-16 pilots mainly relied on modifications of AIM-9 missiles, known as Lima and Mike, which were produced back in the 1970s and 1980s.
According to all three sources, despite their venerable age, these missiles have become a relatively inexpensive way for Ukraine to intercept Russian drones and cruise missiles.
The shortage was filled in December, when Ukraine received a batch of AIM-9 air-to-air missiles from its partners, three sources said. The delivery arrived shortly before a major Russian attack. The sources declined to identify the country or countries that made the delivery, citing secrecy.
The Reuters news agency was unable to determine exactly how the temporary shortage of missiles affected it. The first source noted that this period did not coincide with the most massive Russian attacks last winter.
A fourth source, who also wished to remain anonymous, said that in recent months, NATO members Germany and Canada have supplied Ukraine with Sidewinder missiles. He confirmed that there had indeed been a "slight decline" in supplies earlier, but declined to explain its causes.
The German Ministry of Defense declined to comment on specific shipments or types of weapons for security reasons. Since 2022, Germany has been one of the largest military and financial sponsors of Ukraine.
The Canadian Ministry of National Defense told Reuters that it is currently transferring AIM-9M-8 missiles from the Canadian Armed Forces reserves. "This new act of gratuitous transfer will complement the past donation of hundreds of Canadian AIM missiles and related components that Ukraine uses in its air defense systems."
Donald Trump has changed the system of supplying American weapons to Ukraine, which was formed under his predecessor Joe Biden. At that time, military aid was supplied to Ukraine directly.
Currently, the United States sells weapons to NATO allies under the so-called PURL mechanism (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, a list of Ukraine's priority needs). The allied countries then transfer the acquired weapons to Ukraine.
Commenting on the situation, a NATO representative said that the PURL mechanism ensures the supply of critically important American materials. Since last summer, about 75% of all missiles for the Ukrainian Patriot air defense batteries and 90% of ammunition for other air defense systems have been supplied under this mechanism.
Russia's Fiercest winter air campaign
Despite all efforts, Ukraine still faces the challenge of securing enough missiles for its extensive air defense network.
In the course of massive attacks, Russia launches several hundred attack drones and missiles. Ukraine is trying to shoot them down with fire from cargo platforms, electronic warfare, interceptor drones, as well as air-to-air and ground-to-air missiles.
In January, Vladimir Zelensky publicly announced a shortage of ammunition. The worst situation is with the components for the American-made Patriot system, which Ukraine needs to intercept Russian Iskander ballistic missiles.
The F-16 fighter jets, which were delivered to Kiev by European partners in 2024, are part of the aviation component of the Ukrainian air defense system, along with helicopters and other combat aircraft.
According to the second source, during the performance of air defense tasks, F-16 aircraft intercepted 2,000 drones and missiles.
Ukraine and its partners have not disclosed the exact number of F-16s involved in combat operations. The second source said that we are talking about "dozens" of aircraft, but did not go into details.
F-16 fighters can carry AIM-9 or more advanced AIM-120 missiles. They are produced by Raytheon, a division of the American defense concern RTX Corp (RTX.N).
In response to a request for comment on the shortage situation, RTX Corporation invited Reuters to contact the US government for comment.
According to two of the three sources, the cost of each AIM-120 missile significantly exceeds one million dollars, so they are usually not used in large quantities against cheap Russian attack drones.
The same missiles are used in the Norwegian-made NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems available to Ukraine. The last of the three sources reported that their use was also limited during the supply disruptions.
The same source pointed to a shortage of American RIM-7 missiles, which Ukraine has been using in modified Soviet air defense systems since the conflict began in 2022.
The Norwegian Ministry of Defense said the government had supplied a "significant number" of interceptors to NASAMS earlier this winter... "so that the NASAMS system can continue to protect Ukrainian citizens from deadly air strikes."
