Ukraine’s F-16s sometimes rely on guns as air-to-air missiles run short - The War Zone
Ukrainian F-16 pilots are facing such a severe shortage of air-to-air missiles that some daytime missions have been flown relying solely on the jets’ internal guns to engage Russian aerial threats, The War Zone reported, citing a journalist who spoke with a senior Ukrainian Air Force commander.
According to Newsmax journalist Shelby Wilder, Ukrainian Air Force personnel are closely tracking incoming missile shipments, at times counting the hours and minutes until the weapons reach the aircraft - and whether they will arrive before Russia launches its next major aerial attack.
A Ukrainian commander who identified himself by the callsign Phantom and as commander of the 107th Wing confirmed the shortage.
“Yes, that’s true. Any aircraft without weapons is … useless,” Phantom said.
Ukraine’s F-16s have become an important part of the country’s layered air defense, intercepting Russian drones and cruise missiles while also conducting air-to-ground missions. Phantom said their priority is defending Ukrainian skies against Russian drones, with cruise missiles the primary target.
The jets primarily use AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range and AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles. With supplies running low, however, available missiles have to be rationed.
The F-16 also carries an M61A1 Vulcan 20mm rotary cannon, but using it against aerial targets carries additional risks. The War Zone noted that engaging small, slow-moving targets with the gun can be particularly dangerous, especially at night.
Ukraine has previously used F-16 cannons in combat. In May 2025, the Ukrainian Air Force said a pilot had destroyed three aerial targets and was engaging a fourth with the cannon when an emergency forced him to eject.
Phantom called on Ukraine’s partners to provide more air-to-air missiles as well as interceptors for Patriot air defense systems.
“We require more means of protection, such as Patriot missiles and air-to-air missiles, AIM-9s or AIM-120s to our fleet,” he said.
The shortage highlights a broader problem facing Ukraine’s air defense: delivering additional aircraft alone is not enough without a sustainable supply of weapons to keep them operational. AIM-120 missiles are also used by Ukraine’s ground-based NASAMS air defense systems, meaning the same limited supply is needed for multiple layers of the country’s defenses.
Phantom urged the United States and European countries to increase missile production or allow Ukraine to localize production domestically or elsewhere in Europe.
“At least we need to try to increase the production, or at least to allow Ukraine to localize the production in Ukraine or other European countries,” he said.