US EditionUkraine’s F-16 jets were starved of US-made missiles for weeks: Report
Ukraine relied on decades-old AIM-9 missiles for over three weeks due to a shortage of US-made air-to-air missiles before receiving resupply in December.
- Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets lacked sufficient U.S.-made AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for over three weeks from late November to mid-December, compromising their air defense capabilities.
- During the missile shortage, F-16 pilots flew daytime sorties using rotary cannons and attempted to reuse dud missiles to counter Russian drones.
- Germany and Canada supplied Sidewinder missiles in recent months, but there was a temporary dip in supplies before December due to depleted stocks among Kyiv's foreign partners.
- Ukraine's air defense network still faces challenges securing sufficient Western-made missiles despite ongoing international support and donations.
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17 Articles
Ukrainian air defence suffered from a critical shortage of missiles for its F-16s, exposing its dependence on the West. From late November to mid-December 2025, Kyiv lacked essential ammunition for the...
Ukrainian F-16 fighters for more than three weeks did not have enough missiles to shoot down Russian drones and missiles after supplies from Kiev's partners ran out.
According to a report, Ukrainian air defense is suffering from a lack of ammunition. Important missiles are missing, so the pilots are forced to do risky maneuvers.
Exclusive: Ukraine's F-16 jets were starved of US-made missiles for weeks
Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets didn't have enough missiles to shoot down Russian drones and missiles for more than three weeks after supplies from Kyiv's partners dried up just as Moscow was preparing a massive winter air campaign, three sources said.
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