U.S. Redirects 20,000 Anti-Drone Missiles Originally Intended for Ukraine to the Middle East
The United States has redirected 20,000 missiles equipped with the APKWS laser guidance system — initially intended for Ukraine — to U.S. Air Force units in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the decision in an interview with ABC News.
“As you’ve seen, we have serious problems with the Shaheds. We are fighting them and will find ways to destroy them. We had agreed on one project — with Secretary of Defense Austin under the previous administration. We were counting on 20,000 missiles — missiles to counter the Shaheds. It wasn’t expensive, but it was specialized technology. This morning, my defense minister informed me that the United States has transferred them to the Middle East,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy’s comments confirm a report by The Wall Street Journal that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the transfer of APKWS anti-aircraft missiles to U.S. forces in the region.
The systems were originally procured under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), a program launched by the Biden administration that allocates billions in U.S. government funds to purchase weapons and equipment from American defense contractors.
Although the systems were purchased under a program designated for Ukraine, U.S. law permits the Secretary of Defense to reallocate the equipment to American forces in cases of “urgent need.”
The decision has sparked concern among Ukraine’s supporters in Congress, who say the Pentagon has not explained how the shift will affect Ukraine’s air defenses — or whether the U.S. need is truly urgent.
Skepticism has grown in light of the ceasefire reached in May between the U.S. and Yemen’s Houthi militants. Following the agreement, the U.S. suspended airstrikes on Houthi positions, and the Houthis halted attacks on American targets. That standoff had been the primary source of drone threats to U.S. forces in the region.
Although USAI funds have already been committed, weapons deliveries to Ukraine are scheduled for this year and next. The incident has raised concerns about precedent—particularly whether a future Trump administration could reallocate remaining contracted weapons to other operations under the same “urgent need” provision.
As of December 31, 2024, Ukraine had received $11.4 billion in military aid through USAI. Another $11.2 billion has been spent on contracts for future deliveries, while a further $10.6 billion has been allocated but not yet contracted.
APKWS
The APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System), developed by BAE Systems, adds a semi-active laser guidance module to standard 70 mm Hydra rockets, converting them into low-cost precision munitions. In its anti-aircraft role, a proximity fuse is added, allowing the warhead to detonate near the target, even in the event of a near miss — significantly increasing effectiveness against drones.
The APKWS forms the basis of the Vampire (Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment) missile system, developed by L3Harris Technologies. Vampire systems can be mounted on various vehicle platforms, including SUVs, and have been included in aid packages from the U.S. and Germany.
