{
  "id": 5297426,
  "title": "Ukraine's F-16 pilots forced to use cannons amid missile shortage",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/ukraines-f-16-pilots-forced-to-use-cannons-amid-missile-shortage",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T09:49:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Voice of Ukraine",
    "slug": "new-voice-of-ukraine",
    "url": "https://english.nv.ua/nation/ukrainian-f-16s-critical-shortage-of-air-to-air-missiles-50638153.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukrainian F-16 pilots are grappling with a severe shortage of air-to-air missiles, forcing them to utilize the aircraft's onboard cannons during some daytime combat missions against Russian targets, The War Zone reported on September 2. Senior Ukrainian Air Force commander Shelby Wilder informed this during a conversation with Newsmax journalist Shelby Wilder. The commander of the 107th Wing, or \"Phantom\" as it's called, confirms the missile crisis, emphasizing that any aircraft lacking weapons is useless. The F-16's primary mission is to protect Ukrainian infrastructure from Russian drones, with priority targets being cruise missiles. To intercept these, the pilots primarily rely on American-made AMRAAM and Sidewinder missiles. In the absence of missiles, the F-16 can use its 20mm Vulcan cannon, but using cannons against aerial targets is more dangerous, especially at night. The need for more missile supplies is urgent, including additional interceptor missiles for Patriot systems. While AIM-9 and AIM-120 missiles serve dual purposes, including protection of Kyiv and other key sites, the U.S. has turned down a request for Patriot interceptor missiles, citing limited stockpiles for its own needs in the Middle East. EU leaders are urging the U.S. to provide Ukraine with these critical interceptors before the winter.",
  "summary": "Ukrainian F-16 pilots have encountered such a severe shortage of air-to-air missiles that during some daytime combat missions, they have had to rely solely on their fighters' onboard cannons to engage Russian aerial targets, The War Zone reported on Sept. 2, citing Newsmax journalist Shelby Wilder, who recently spoke with a senior commander of Ukraine's Air Force.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ukrainian F-16 pilots using cannons due to missile shortage",
    "Missiles prioritized for intercepting Russian drones and cruise missiles",
    "U.S. declines to provide Patriot interceptors to Ukraine"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}