Ukraine Working on Large-Scale Purchase of 20mm Ammunition for F-16s

Ukraine is negotiating with several European countries and manufacturers to obtain tens of thousands of rounds of 20mm ammunition for F-16 fighter jets, sources told Bloomberg.

Ukraine is increasingly using the M61A1 Vulcan cannon on its F-16 fighters to destroy Russian drones.

According to Bloomberg’s sources, using the cannon to intercept drones is currently the most cost-effective and operationally effective solution.

Due to shortages of AIM-120 and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles, Ukrainian F-16 pilots are increasingly using the 20mm cannon against drones.

According to the news agency’s sources, about 150 rounds are required to intercept a single target, or approximately 10,000 rounds per day.

As of the end of September, Ukrainian F-16 pilots had already shot down more than 3,150 aerial targets.

The destroyed targets included 666 cruise missiles and 2,500 drones of various types.

M61A1 Vulcan Cannon

The M61A1 Vulcan is a U.S. six-barrel 20mm aircraft cannon with a rotating barrel assembly.

It uses an electric drive to rotate the barrels and provides a very high rate of fire.

The cannon was developed by General Electric for use on various aircraft, including F-15 and F-16 fighter jets.

It has primarily been used against aerial targets, as well as to engage lightly armored and ground targets.