Ukraine to Receive Sidewinder Air-to-Air Missiles from German Stocks

Germany will deliver a large batch of Sidewinder missiles to Ukraine to strengthen its air defense capabilities.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced this during the opening of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in the Ramstein format, according to European Pravda.

Pistorius stated that Germany has already significantly reinforced Ukraine’s air defense, including the delivery of two Patriot air defense systems, agreements on which were reached in August.

Some of these deliveries were made possible with the support of Norwegian partners. In addition, Ukraine has received its ninth IRIS-T air and missile defense system.

“Next year, we will provide a large number of Sidewinder missiles from our own stockpiles to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense,” the German Defense Minister emphasized.

The AIM-9 Sidewinder is the main series of U.S.-made short-range air-to-air guided missiles, which have been in service with the Bundeswehr for many years.

Today, the primary carrier of Sidewinder missiles is the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet. In Ukraine, these missiles are used by F-16 fighters to repel Russian drone and missile attacks.