Ukrainian specialists have converted the AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air guided missiles for F-16 fighter jets from the United States into surface-to-air missiles. They can now be used by air defense forces, the Financial Times reports.
As noted, the AIM-9M missiles were taken out of service and redesigned to be launched from the ground for the needs of Ukrainian air defense.
"We have redesigned them. We found a way to launch them from the ground. It's a kind of homemade air defense," an unnamed Ukrainian official told the publication.
According to him, this is one example of the conversion of seemingly unnecessary equipment into used weapons.
"We have an agreed solution: we take something outdated and make something else," the official said.
He also added that the redesigned missiles "will help Ukraine survive the winter" by saving its energy infrastructure from possible Russian attacks.
As a reminder, in August, the United States announced another $250 million package for Ukraine, which included, among other things, an unspecified number of AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles. According to the description, they are intended for air defense.
