Copenhagen delivers large batch of ammunition for F-16 aircraft guns to Kyiv

Ammunition supply from Copenhagen

The Danish government has completed the transfer of a significant batch of weapons to Ukraine: over 50,000 20-millimetre rounds intended for the onboard guns of F-16 fighter jets. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence announced this, noting that the supply is part of the comprehensive provision of ammunition for the Air Force's air defence systems.

Practical application in combat conditions

Ukrainian pilots have already begun using the received ammunition during combat sorties to intercept Russian jet and piston-powered strike drones. The use of aircraft artillery allows for the effective destruction of aerial targets, saving expensive air-to-air guided missiles.

Technical specifications of the M61A1 gun

F-16 fighter jets are equipped with the 20-millimetre six-barrel automatic M61A1 Vulcan gun. This weapon operates on the Gatling principle with a rotating barrel block and is capable of providing a rate of fire of up to 6,000 rounds per minute.

Unitary cartridges of 20x102 mm calibre are used for firing. The assortment includes armour-piercing incendiary and high-explosive fragmentation rounds. The effective range for engaging aerial targets with this gun is between 1,000 and 1,500 metres.