U.S. redirects Ukraine-bound anti-drone missile parts to Middle East

This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing its own sources.

The outlet reported that the Pentagon quietly informed Congress last week that the fuzes are now being supplied to U.S. Air Force units in the Middle East.

WSJ writes that this move reflects a decrease in the Pentagon’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, which is defending itself against Russian aggression.

Last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered in an internal memo to provide the fuzes to the U.S. Air Force despite the fact that they were originally purchased for Ukraine. The Pentagon informed the Senate Armed Services Committee in a previously undisclosed notice that the American military’s need for the fuzes is an "Secretary of Defense Identified Urgent Issue."

The fuzes are designed for a modern precision weapons system. The U.S. provided this technology to Ukraine several years ago, and Ukrainians have used it in their surface-to-air missile system to defend against Russian drones, with the Pentagon highly praising its effectiveness.

The Air Force adapted the missiles so they could be launched from F-16 and F-15E fighters against drones. The system is cheaper than air-to-air missiles like the Sidewinder and AMRAAM.

At the same time, one congressional aide criticized the move: "Denying Ukraine desperately needed weapons at this critical point in the war is unthinkable."

• Earlier, The Telegraph reported that members of the Coalition of the Willing, Britain and France, are actively developing a strategy in case the United States ends its support for Ukraine.