By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Ukraine’s newly deployed fleet of F-16 fighter jets was left dangerously short of air-to-air missiles for several weeks late last year, severely limiting the country’s ability to intercept Russian drones and cruise missiles during one of the most intense phases of Moscow’s winter air campaign, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.
The shortage, which lasted from late November until mid-December, occurred just as Russia was escalating large-scale strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and cities. With missile supplies dwindling, Ukrainian pilots were forced to improvise defensive tactics to protect the country’s airspace, highlighting the nation’s heavy reliance on Western weapons supplies to sustain its air defense network.
According to people with direct knowledge of the matter, Ukraine’s squadron of F-16 aircraft had only a limited number of U.S.-made AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles available when deliveries from partner nations temporarily stopped. At one point, the supply became so critical that the jets effectively had no usable missiles for nearly a month.
The F-16 fighters—provided by European allies beginning in 2024—form an important layer in Ukraine’s multi-tiered air defense system. Their primary mission has been intercepting Russian drones and cruise missiles before they reach cities, power plants, and other critical infrastructure. Since entering service in Ukraine, the aircraft have reportedly shot down thousands of airborne threats during defensive patrols.
However, the missile shortage exposed how vulnerable Ukraine’s defenses remain when the flow of Western weapons slows. Ukrainian officials have frequently warned that their ability to repel Russian air attacks depends heavily on continued support from allied countries, particularly the United States and NATO members.
The problem emerged as Russia intensified its winter campaign targeting Ukraine’s energy grid. Moscow launched waves of drones and missiles in coordinated attacks intended to overwhelm air defenses and leave civilians without electricity, heating, and running water during the coldest months of the year. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians experienced prolonged blackouts as a result.
With limited missiles available, Ukrainian F-16 pilots had to adopt unconventional measures. During daylight missions, some pilots attempted to shoot down incoming drones using the aircraft’s internal rotary cannon instead of guided missiles. Such operations were extremely risky and largely avoided at night, when most Russian drone attacks occur.
Pilots also resorted to reusing missiles that had previously malfunctioned during earlier missions. After maintenance and inspections, some of these “dud” missiles were reloaded in the hope they would work the next time. In certain cases, they did.
Most of the Sidewinder missiles used by Ukraine are older variants produced in the 1970s and 1980s. Despite their age, these missiles remain effective against slower targets such as drones and cruise missiles, making them a relatively cost-efficient option compared with more advanced weapons.
More sophisticated missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM—also used by Ukraine—are significantly more expensive, with each costing well over one million dollars. Because Russian drones are comparatively cheap to produce, Ukraine tends to reserve these high-value interceptors for more dangerous targets, including advanced aircraft or high-speed missiles.
Eventually, the shortage was resolved in December when additional Sidewinder missiles were delivered by Western partners. The countries responsible for the emergency shipment were not publicly identified, though defense officials have confirmed that several NATO members—including Germany and Canada—have supplied such missiles to Ukraine in recent months.
Canada has said it is donating AIM-9M-8 missiles from its military stockpiles to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses, while Germany has been among the largest military supporters of Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
The temporary supply disruption comes amid growing competition for Western weapons as conflicts expand in other regions. Rising tensions and military operations in the Middle East have increased demand for air defense systems and interceptor missiles, potentially stretching production capacity and stockpiles among NATO countries.
Under a newer system introduced by the United States, Washington sells weapons to NATO allies that then transfer them to Ukraine. This framework—designed to streamline procurement—has reportedly supplied a large share of the missiles used in Ukraine’s Patriot air defense batteries and other defensive systems.
Still, maintaining sufficient interceptor supplies remains a constant challenge. Russia regularly launches large-scale attacks involving hundreds of drones and missiles at once. Ukraine counters them using a layered defense that includes fighter jets, ground-based air defense systems, electronic warfare tools, and mobile gun units mounted on vehicles.
While Ukraine’s F-16 fleet numbers only in the dozens, the aircraft have become a crucial element in defending the country’s skies. Their ability to patrol large areas quickly and intercept incoming threats gives Ukraine greater flexibility compared with relying solely on ground-based missile systems.
The recent missile shortage, however, demonstrated how quickly the balance could shift if the supply of Western munitions falters—even briefly—during a prolonged war that shows little sign of ending.
Source Reuters
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