Ukraine’s Air Force announced on January 7, 2025, that one of its F16 pilots achieved an extraordinary feat on December 13, 2024, reportedly shooting down six Russian cruise missiles during a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack. The pilot used both the aircraft’s missiles and its cannon to intercept the incoming threats, marking a notable moment in Ukraine’s air defense efforts.
The F16 was equipped with two medium-range AIM 120 AMRAAMs and two short-range AIM 9 Sidewinder missiles. The first four Russian cruise missiles were reportedly taken down using these weapons. After expending all missile armaments, the pilot switched to the F16’s 20mm M61A1 Vulcan rotary cannon to destroy two additional cruise missiles. This marks one of the rare instances where a fighter jet’s autocannon was used successfully against such targets.
The unnamed pilot credited rigorous U.S.led training and simulator practice for his success with the cannon. He described the moment of impact: “A few rounds from the cannon and an explosion… then another! As it turned out, there were two missiles!”
On December 13, 2024, Russia launched nearly 200 drones and 94 missiles targeting Ukrainian infrastructure. While these figures cannot be independently verified, the attack underscores the intensity of the ongoing conflict and the critical role of air defense in countering Russian aggression.
This engagement demonstrates the continued relevance of onboard autocannons in modern air combat. The F16’s M61A1 Vulcan cannon, with its 511round capacity, proved decisive in a scenario where missile supplies were depleted. By contrast, the F35A, which carries only 180 rounds, and the F35B and F35C, which lack internal cannons, may face limitations in similar engagements.
The first F16s arrived in Ukraine in August 2024, with additional batches supplied by Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, and possibly Greece. Ukraine expects to receive approximately 100 F16s by 2028, though training pilots remains a major bottleneck. Kyiv has initiated efforts to shorten the F16 pilot training program to accelerate deployment.
In addition to F16s, France is expected to deliver its first batch of three Mirage 20005F jets this month, out of a total of 10 planned.
This reported engagement underscores the critical importance of modern Western fighter jets in countering Russia’s persistent missile and drone strikes. The ability to intercept cruise missiles, even with limited resources, highlights the adaptability and effectiveness of Ukraine’s pilots and their growing proficiency with Western-supplied aircraft.
While the claim of downing six cruise missiles cannot be independently verified, it reflects Ukraine’s evolving air defense strategy and the crucial role of F16s in securing its airspace amidst escalating threats.
