The US sent missiles to the Middle East to shoot down drones that Ukraine was supposed to receive
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the redirection of missiles that were supposed to go to Ukraine to fight Russian drones, to the US military in the Middle East. About this informs Wall Street Journal.
In a memo, the head of the Pentagon authorized the division responsible for providing the armed forces to transfer the missiles to the US Air Force, although they were originally purchased for Ukraine. The Pentagon told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the need for these blasters is “an urgent problem identified by the Secretary of Defense.”
The Ukrainian military previously used these missiles to repel attacks by Russian drones. The decision to transfer this equipment to Ukraine was made during the administration of President Joe Biden. The US Air Force has modified the missiles to be launched from F-16 and F-15E fighter jets to destroy drones. According to journalists, this system is a more economical alternative to the Sidewinder and AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.
“The decision to redirect the component demonstrates a shortage of critical defense positions as Ukraine prepares for new Russian drone and missile attacks, while US Air Force units in the Middle East prepare for a possible conflict with Iran or renewed hostilities with Houthi rebels in Yemen.”, the message says.
