The Ukrainian authorities are holding active negotiations with international partners regarding the supply of critical ammunition for F-16 fighter jets, which are used to intercept and destroy modern jet-powered drones. This task has come to the forefront amid changing aerial attack tactics and the appearance of new types of fast targets by the adversary.
Search for F-16 Ammunition
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated during a joint briefing with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Kyiv, the current effectiveness of repelling jet drone attacks is about 50-55%, and sometimes reaches 60%. The integration of F-16 fighter jets into the overall air defense system significantly helps with this issue, as 20mm ammunition demonstrates high effectiveness in the air.
Negotiations with European Allies
The head of the Ukrainian state emphasized that Kyiv has set an ambitious goal: to secure the arrival of 5,000 to 6,000 units of corresponding ammunition daily. The country's leadership has already discussed this issue with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and secured support from Germany. Upcoming plans include consultations with French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as involving Norway and Finland in the process.
Contradictory Data
While official statements from the Ukrainian leadership highlight an acute shortage of 20mm shells and the need for their urgent procurement in quantities of tens of thousands, expert circles note logistical difficulties. Some Western analysts point out that a significant proportion of the F-16 fighter jets transferred to Ukraine have long been undergoing maintenance and repair at European centers, limiting their combat use regardless of the volume of incoming ammunition.
Prospects for Strengthening the Air Shield
Despite complex logistical and organizational challenges, the Ukrainian side continues its work on the uninterrupted supply of aviation with everything necessary. An additional factor in strengthening the combat readiness of the air forces will be Belgium's transfer of three additional F-16 fighter jets by the end of this year, which requires a parallel increase in the supply volumes of missile weapons and shells.
