Ukraine turns to F-16 guns to counter Russia's jet-powered drones

According to Bloomberg sources, Kyiv is already holding talks with several European countries and manufacturers on the supply of such ammunition.

These are rounds that can be fired from the F-16 fighter jet's cannon. Bloomberg sources describe this method of interception as one of the fastest and most cost-effective options for countering new Russian drones.

According to their estimates, a single interception may require about 150 rounds. At the current intensity of attacks, Ukraine could therefore need approximately 10,000 such rounds per day.

The need for this ammunition is growing as stocks of missiles for US-made Patriot systems decline. According to Bloomberg, missiles for these systems are now significantly more difficult to obtain quickly in the required quantities, while ammunition for F-16 cannons is more widely available worldwide.

That is why Ukraine is considering fighter jet cannon rounds as one of the more affordable and readily available options for countering jet-powered drones.

On September 29, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the Ministry of Defense and military officials responsible for Ukrainian weapons production.

During the meeting, the first prototypes of systems designed to counter jet-powered Shahed drones were selected, along with timelines, funding, and production volumes.

Earlier, Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara called for funding for interceptors against jet-powered Shahed drones. According to him, the funding is needed this fall so that manufacturers have enough time to purchase components and produce them.