F-16 are equipped with advanced "air-air" AIM-9X missiles: what advantage they will give Ukraine

According to Jacob Parakialas, an employee of the Rand analytical center, AIM-9X and Amraam missiles are the advantage in the melee. But such air duels are extremely rare in the front line in Ukraine. According to some reports, the United States, in addition to F-16 fighters, send US weapons, including AIM-9X missiles, also known as Sidewinder. Newsweek writes about it. AIM-9x are a small-range air-air weapon, produced by the American Raytheon Giant.

They are launched from aircraft, as well as ground systems, these missiles are compatible with many aircraft such as F-16, F-22 and F-35. Other rockets in the F-16 package-AGM-88 HARM and a significant number of more long-range versions of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), thanks to which unmanaged bombs are turning into high-precision weapons, reported this week, The Wall Street Journal. Ukraine will also receive more advanced air-air missiles (Amraam).

AIM-9X and Amraam missiles will give Ukrainian F-16 "advantage" in any nearby air battles with Russian aircraft, says Jacob Parakilas, a head of defense and security research at the European Rand Analytical Center. But this type of battle can rarely be seen in Ukraine, as Kiev and Moscow keep their planes mostly far beyond the front line and far from reaching long -range missiles.

"Instead, AIM-9X will most likely find an application in response to Russian winged missiles and drones that attack Ukrainian cities and critically important national infrastructure. Another level of protection to Ukraine from these constant threats will add," Parakilas added. Recall that Ukraine overtook the Russian Federation in the fact that there are shocks of long -range drones like Shahd.