View source for FIM-92 Stinger

{{Short description|U.S. man-portable surface-to-air missile}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2026}}
{{use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = FIM-92 Stinger
| image              = File:Voorzijde van een Stinger lanceerbuis met richt-afvuurapparatuur (2086-065-004).jpg
| image_size         = 300
| alt                = 
| caption            = FIM-92 Stinger launcher
| type               = [[Man-portable air-defense system|Man-portable surface-to-air missile]]
| origin             = [[United States]]
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_ranged          = yes
| is_explosive       = yes
| is_missile         = yes
<!-- Service history -->
| service            = 1981–present
| used_by            = See ''[[#Operators|Operators]]''
| wars               = [[Falklands War]]<br>[[Soviet–Afghan War]]<br>[[Iran–Iraq War]]<br>[[Gulf War]]<br>[[Angolan Civil War]]<br>[[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]]<br>[[Chadian–Libyan conflict]]<br> [[Tajikistani Civil War]]<br>[[Kargil War]]<br>[[Yugoslav Wars]]<br>[[Invasion of Grenada]]<br>[[Second Chechen War]]<br>[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]]<br>[[Iraq War]]<br>[[Syrian Civil War]]<br>[[War in Iraq (2013–2017)]]<br>[[Russo-Ukrainian War]]
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = [[General Dynamics]]
| design_date        = 1967
| manufacturer       = [[Raytheon Missiles & Defense]]
| unit_cost          = FIM-92A: [[United States dollar|U.S.$]]38,000 (missile only, 1980 FY)<br />($119,320 2020 FY<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1980?amount=1|title=$1 in 1980 → 2020|website=in2013dollars.com}}</ref>)
| production_date    = 1978–present
| number             = 
| variants           = FIM-92A, FIM-92B, FIM-92C, FIM-92D, FIM-92G
<!-- General specifications -->
| mass               = {{ubl|Missile – {{cvt|10.1|kg|lb|order=flip}}|System – {{cvt|15.7|kg|lb|order=flip}}}}
| length             = {{ubl|At launch – {{cvt|1.53|m|ft|0|order=flip}}|In flight – {{cvt|1.37|m|ftin|order=flip}}}}
| width              = 
| diameter           = {{cvt|70|mm|in|order=flip}}
| crew               = 1
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          = 
| cartridge_weight   = 
| caliber            = 
| barrels            = 
| action             = 
| rate               = 
| velocity           = 
| range              = {{cvt|0.1|–|5|mi|km}}
| max_range          = 
| feed               = 
| sights             = <!-- Explosive specifications -->
| filling            = HE-FRAG
| filling_weight     = {{cvt|3|kg|lb|order=flip}}
| detonation         = Impact
| yield              = <!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
| armour             = 
| primary_armament   = 
| secondary_armament = 
| engine             = [[Solid-fuel rocket]] motor
| engine_power       = 
| pw_ratio           = 
| payload_capacity   = 
| drive              = 
| transmission       = 
| suspension         = 
| clearance          = 
| fuel_capacity      = 
| vehicle_range      = 
| speed              = {{cvt|745|m/s|Mach ft/s m/s|order=out}}
| guidance           = [[Infrared homing]]
| steering           = <!-- Missiles only -->
| wingspan           = {{cvt|160|mm|in|order=flip}}
| propellant         = 
| ceiling            = 
| altitude           = 
| boost              = 
| depth              = 
| accuracy           = 
| launch_platform    = [[MANPADS]], [[M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle#M6 Linebacker|M6 Linebacker]], [[Multi-Mission Launcher]], [[Eurocopter Tiger]], [[AN/TWQ-1 Avenger]], [[MQ-1 Predator]], [[AH-64 Apache]], [[T129 ATAK]]<ref name="T 129 ATAK TAI PDF">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tusas.com/content/files/uploads/1890/TUSAS_2020_Genel_Flyer_T129Atak_EN.pdf|title=T129 ATAK|website=Turkish Aerospace|access-date=15 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714183406/https://www.tusas.com/content/files/uploads/1890/TUSAS_2020_Genel_Flyer_T129Atak_EN.pdf|archive-date=14 July 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| transport          = <!-- For all -->
| ref                = [[Janes Information Services|Janes]]<ref>{{Citation |author=[[Janes Information Services|Janes]] |url=https://customer.janes.com/Janes/Display/JLAD0030-JAAD |title=Stinger family of MANPADS |date=14 June 2022 |website=Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence |publisher=Jane's Group UK Limited. |publication-place=[[Coulsdon]], [[Surrey]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=17 September 2022}}</ref>
}}

The '''FIM-92 Stinger''' is an American [[man-portable air-defense system]] (MANPADS) that operates as an [[infrared homing]] [[surface-to-air missile]] (SAM). It can be adapted to fire from a wide variety of ground vehicles, and from helicopters and drones as the [[Air-to-Air Stinger]] (ATAS). It entered service in 1981 and is used by the militaries of the [[United States]] and 29 other countries. It is principally manufactured by [[Raytheon Missiles & Defense]] and is produced under license by [[Airbus Defence and Space]] in [[Germany]] and by [[Roketsan]] in [[Turkey]].

==Description==
The FIM-92 Stinger is a passive [[surface-to-air missile]] that can be shoulder-fired by a single operator (although standard military procedure calls for two operators, team chief and gunner).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/ost-military-doctrine-fm44_18_1/|title= FM-44-18-1: STINGER TEAM OPERATIONS|date= December 31, 1984|publisher= [[U.S. Army]]}}</ref> The Stinger was intended to supplant the [[FIM-43 Redeye]] system, the principal difference being that, unlike the Redeye, the Stinger can acquire the target from head-on, giving much more time to acquire and destroy the target. The FIM-92B missile can also be fired from the [[AN/TWQ-1 Avenger|M1097 Avenger]] and the [[M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle#M6 Linebacker|M6 Linebacker]]. The missile is also capable of being deployed from a [[Humvee]] Stinger rack and can be used by airborne troops. A helicopter launched version exists and is called [[AIM-92 Stinger|Air-to-Air Stinger]] (ATAS).{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

{{multiple image
|header     = MANPADS Stinger with IFF antenna
|total_width= 470
|image1     = Staff Sgt. Warren Jackson points out a target to Stinger anti-aircraft guided missile gunner Sgt. Gary Cross during the air base ground defense Exercise Foal Eagle '89 DF-ST-90-12024.jpg
|caption1   = M134 Stinger Tracking Trainer with IFF antenna unfolded
|image2     = 1-7 repels enemy assault at Lava Training Area 140203-M-OM885-094.jpg
|caption2   = FIM-92 Stinger with IFF antenna folded
}}
The missile is {{convert|1.52|m|ft|abbr=on|order=flip}} long and {{convert|70|mm|in|abbr=on|order=flip}} in diameter, with {{convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on|order=flip}} fins. The missile itself weighs {{convert|10.1|kg|lb|abbr=on|order=flip}}, while the missile with its launch tube and integral sight, fitted with a gripstock and [[Identification Friend or Foe]] (IFF) antenna, weighs approximately {{convert|15.2|kg|lb|abbr=on|order=flip}}. It has a targeting range of up to {{convert|4800|m|ft|order=flip}} and can engage low-altitude enemy threats at up to {{convert|3800|m|ft|order=flip}}.

The Stinger is launched by a small ejection motor that pushes it a safe distance from the operator before engaging the main two-stage solid-fuel sustainer, which accelerates it to a maximum speed of {{convert|2.54|Mach|mph m/s|sigfig=3}}.<ref>https://patents.google.com/patent/US4404887A/en</ref> The warhead contains {{convert|2.25|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of HTA-3<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/fm-3-04.140-06-helicopter-gunnery|title = FM 3-04.140 Helicopter Gunnery}}</ref> (a mix of [[HMX]], [[TNT]], and aluminium powder) explosive with an [[impact fuze]] and a self-destruct timer that functions 17&nbsp;seconds after launch.
[[File:FIM-92 Stinger firing.webm|thumb|upright=1.35|[[U.S. Marines]] with [[2d Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion|2nd LAAD Bn]] conduct live fire with the FIM-92 Stinger at [[Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune]] (2021)]]
[[File:US Army Paratrooper Jumps with FIM-92 from 34 foot tower.png|thumb|A paratrooper with 3rd Bn, [[4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment|4th ADA Reg.]] practices parachuting techniques with the FIM-92 Stinger at [[Fort Bragg]] (2022)]]

To fire the missile, a BCU (Battery Coolant Unit) is inserted into the gripstock. This device consists of a supply of high-pressure gaseous [[argon]], which is injected into the seeker to cryogenically cool it to operating temperature, and a [[Molten-salt battery|thermal battery]], which provides power for target acquisition: a single BCU provides power and coolant for roughly 45&nbsp;seconds, after which another must be inserted if the missile has not been fired. The BCUs are somewhat sensitive to abuse and have a limited [[shelf life]] due to argon leakage. The IFF system receives power from a [[rechargeable battery]], which is part of the IFF interrogator box, which plugs into the base of the gripstock's pistol grip. Guidance to the target is initially through [[proportional navigation]], then switches to another mode that directs the missile towards the target [[airframe]] instead of its [[exhaust plume]].

There are three main variants in use: the Stinger Basic, Stinger-Passive Optical Seeker Technique (POST), and Stinger-Reprogrammable Microprocessor (RMP). These correspond to the FIM-92A, FIM-92B, and FIM-92C and later variants respectively.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

The POST and RMP variants have a dual-detector seeker: [[infrared|IR]] and [[ultraviolet|UV]]. This allows it to distinguish targets from [[flare (countermeasure)|countermeasures]] much better than the [[FIM-43 Redeye|Redeye]] and FIM-92A, which have IR-only. While modern flares can have an IR signature that is closely matched to the launching aircraft's engine exhaust, there is a readily distinguishable difference in UV signature between flares and jet engines. The Stinger-RMP is so-called because of its ability to load a new set of software via [[Read-only memory|ROM]] chip inserted in the grip at the depot. If this download to the missile fails during power-up, basic functionality runs off the onboard ROM. The four-processor RMP has 4&nbsp;KB of [[random-access memory|RAM]] for each [[central processing unit|processor]]. Since the downloaded code runs from RAM, there is little space to spare, particularly for processors dedicated to seeker input processing and target analysis.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

==History==
[[File:Launched FIM-92A Stinger missile.jpg|thumb|A U.S. Marine fires a FIM-92 Stinger missile during a July 2009 training exercise in California.]]

[[File:Fennek reconnaissance vehicle of 340th ASELSAN MFR C0415, pic1.JPG|thumb|4 Stinger missiles on a Dutch Army [[Fennek]] reconnaissance vehicle.]]

[[File:FIM-92 Stinger with FWS-I Thermal Sight.jpg|thumb|FIM-92 Stinger with the Family of Weapon Sights Individual (FWS-I) Thermal Sight]]

The missile began as a program by [[General Dynamics]] to produce an improved variant of their 1967 [[FIM-43 Redeye]]. Production of the Redeye ran from 1969 to 1982, with a total production of around 85,000 missiles. The program was accepted for further development as Redeye II by the U.S. Army in 1971 and designated FIM-92; the ''Stinger'' appellation was chosen in 1972. Because of technical difficulties that dogged testing, the first shoulder launch was not until mid-1975. Production of the FIM-92A began in 1978. An improved Stinger with a new seeker, the FIM-92B, was produced from 1983 alongside the FIM-92A. Production of both the A and B types ended in 1987 with around 16,000 missiles produced.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

The replacement FIM-92C began development in 1984, and production began in 1987. The first examples were delivered to frontline units in 1989. C-type missiles were fitted with a reprogrammable microprocessor, allowing for incremental [[firmware]] updates. Later missiles designated D received improvements to improve their ability to defeat countermeasures, and later upgrades to the D were designated G.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

The FIM-92E or Stinger RMP Block I was developed from 1992 and delivered from 1995 (certain sources state that the FIM-92D is also part of the Block I development). The main changes were again in the sensor and the software, improving the missile's performance against low-signature targets. A software upgrade in 2001 was designated FIM-92F. The development of the Stinger RMP Block II began in 1996 using a new focal plane array sensor to improve the missile's effectiveness in "high clutter" environments and increase the engagement range to about 25,000 feet (7,600 m). Production was scheduled for 2004, but was cancelled due to budget cuts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raytheon FIM-92 Stinger |url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-92.html |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=www.designation-systems.net}}</ref>

Since 1984 the Stinger has been issued to many [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] [[warship]]s for [[point defense]], particularly in [[Middle East]]ern waters, with a three-man team that can perform other duties when not conducting Stinger training or maintenance. Until it was decommissioned in September 1993, the U.S. Navy had at least one Stinger Gunnery Detachment attached to Beachmaster Unit Two in Little Creek Virginia. The sailors of this detachment would deploy to [[carrier battlegroup]]s in teams of two to four sailors per ship as requested by Battle Group Commanders.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

===Replacement===
The original Stinger's reprogrammable microprocessor has become obsolete in 2023, and a service life extension will keep the Block I in service until 2030. With the arsenal declining from obsolescence, on 10 November 2020 the U.S. Army issued a request for information for a replacement MANPADS. The new system will be compatible with the Stinger Vehicle Universal Launcher used on the [[Stryker#SHORAD|IM-SHORAD]] and be able to defeat fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, as well as [[U.S. military UAS groups|Group 2 and 3 UAS]] as well as or better than the Stinger. A contract for up to 8,000 missiles is planned to be awarded by 2026.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://aviationweek.com/special-topics/air-dominance/us-army-opens-5-year-search-stinger-missile-replacement |title=U.S. Army Opens 5-Year Search For Stinger Missile Replacement |work=[[Aviation Week]] |date=11 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/military-tech/army-stringer-missile-replacement |title=The Army is hunting for a replacement for its man-portable Stinger missile |work=Task & Purpose |date=14 November 2020}}</ref> The request for information to interested firms only went out in April 2022,<ref>{{cite news |last=Saballa |first=Joe |title= US Army Seeks Aging Stinger Missiles Replacement |url= https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/04/08/us-army-stinger-replacement/ |access-date=16 April 2022 |work=The Defense Post |date=8 April 2022}}</ref> and [[RTX_Corporation|RTX]] and [[Lockheed Martin]] were selected to competitively develop the Stinger replacement in September 2023.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2023/10/09/us-army-pursues-faster-more-survivable-stinger-missile-replacement/ |title=US Army pursues faster, more survivable Stinger missile replacement |work=[[Defense News]] |first=Jen |last=Judson |date=9 October 2023 |access-date=2024-04-13}}</ref>

According to Reuters, the U.S. government has signed a contract for 1,468 Stingers worth a total of $687 million, to replenish stock sent to Ukraine.<ref name=2023refill/> Raytheon Chief Executive Greg Hayes said on 26 April 2022: "Some of the components are no longer commercially available, and so we're going to have to go out and redesign some of the electronics in the missile of the seeker head. That's going to take us a little bit of time".<ref name=2023refill>{{cite news |title= US buys more Stingers to refill stock sent to Ukraine: Report |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/27/us-buys-more-stingers-to-refill-stock-sent-to-ukraine-reuters |access-date=27 May 2022 |publisher= Al Jazeera|date=27 May 2022}}</ref>

In January 2023, the U.S. Army said it expected to increase Stinger production to 60 missiles per month by 2025, an increase of 50% from the current rate. The Dual Detector Assembly (DDA) will be redesigned because a previous DDA part is no longer being made. The old DDA will continue to be used in production up until stocks are exhausted, which is expected by 2026 when deliveries of Stingers with the new component are expected to begin.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=25 January 2023|title=Stinger missile production to rise 50% by 2025, US Army says|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/stinger-missile-production-to-rise-50-by-2025-us-army-says|access-date=|website=[[Janes Information Services]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125194111/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/stinger-missile-production-to-rise-50-by-2025-us-army-says|archive-date=25 January 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[United States Army Aviation and Missile Center|U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center]] (DEVCOM AvMC) launched the '''Red Wasp''' program, an advanced air defense interceptor initiative designed to enhance the capabilities of the long-serving FIM-92 Stinger missile. Red Wasp integrates solid fuel ramjet propulsion into the Stinger’s form factor to significantly increase its effective range. The system uses an integral rocket [[ramjet]], a dual-mode propulsion cycle that begins with a conventional solid rocket motor to accelerate the missile to supersonic speeds. After burnout, a front-end port opens to allow air into the combustion chamber, where it ignites the ramjet fuel. This air-breathing phase eliminates the need for onboard [[oxidizers]], improving fuel efficiency and overall performance. Red Wasp is intended to enable soldiers to engage [[Short range air defense|Short Range Air Defense]] (SHORAD) threats such as [[Unmanned Aerial Systems|unmanned aerial systems]] equipped with [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance]] (ISR) capabilities at much longer distances, helping to deny adversarial targeting and increase force survivability. As ISR sensor technology advances and extends the effective range of enemy surveillance, Red Wasp offers a critical countermeasure by allowing U.S. forces to intercept threats at greater ranges. Following a successful 2024 flight test at [[Dugway Proving Ground]], ongoing development is focused on refining ramjet fuel formulations and thermal insulation, with plans to collaborate with industry partners and scale the technology for broader Army applications.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-21 |title=New propulsion program for legacy missile delivers a sharper sting |url=https://www.army.mil/article/285709/new_propulsion_program_for_legacy_missile_delivers_a_sharper_sting |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=www.army.mil |language=en}}</ref>

==Variants==
* [[Air-to-Air Stinger]] (ATAS): Used as short range [[air-to-air missile]]. The system is mainly designed for [[attack helicopter]]s.
* '''FIM-92A''': ''Stinger Basic'': The basic model.
* '''FIM-92B''': ''Stinger POST'': In this version, the infrared seeker head was replaced by a combined IR/[[ultraviolet radiation|UV]] seeker that utilized [[Infrared homing#Rosette seekers|rosette scanning]]. This resulted in achieving significantly higher resistance to enemy countermeasures ([[Flare (countermeasure)|flares]]) and natural disturbances. Production ran from 1981 to 1987; a total of 600 missiles were produced.
* '''FIM-92C''': ''Stinger RMP'': The resistance to interference was increased again by adding more powerful digital computer components. Moreover, the software of the missile could now be reconfigured in a short time in order to respond quickly and efficiently to new types of countermeasures. Until 1991, some 20,000 units were produced for the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] alone.
* '''FIM-92D''': Various modifications were continued with this version in order to increase the resistance to interference.
* '''FIM-92E''': ''Stinger—RMP Block I'': By adding a new rollover sensor and revised control software, the flight behavior was significantly improved. Additionally, the performance against small targets such as [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drones]], [[cruise missile]]s and light reconnaissance helicopters was improved. The first deliveries began in 1995. Almost the entire stock of U.S. Stinger missiles was replaced by this version.
* '''FIM-92F''': A further improvement of the E version and the current production version.
* '''FIM-92G''': An unspecified upgrade for the D variant.
* '''FIM-92H''': Indicates a D variant that has been upgraded to the E standard.
* '''Stinger—RMP Block II''': This variant was a planned developed based on the E version. The improvements included an imaging infrared seeker head from the [[AIM-9 Sidewinder|AIM-9X]]. With this modification, the detection distance and the resistance to jamming was to be greatly increased. Changes to the airframe would furthermore enable a significant increase in range. Although the missile reached the testing phase, the program was dropped in 2002 for budgetary reasons.
* '''FIM-92J''': Block I missile upgrade to replace aging components to extend service life an additional 10 years. Upgrades include a [[proximity fuze]] [[warhead]] section, equipped with a target detection device to increase effectiveness against [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsus-army-starts-upgrade-of-fim-92e-stinger-block-i-missiles-4425281|title=US Army starts upgrade of FIM-92E Stinger Block I missiles | work = Army Technology|date=2 November 2014|access-date=17 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318084010/http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsus-army-starts-upgrade-of-fim-92e-stinger-block-i-missiles-4425281|archive-date=18 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://kitup.military.com/2014/11/army-upgrades-stinger-missiles.html|title=Army Upgrades Stinger Missiles|publisher= Military.com |date=6 November 2014|access-date= 1 November 2015 |last=Osborn|first=Kris|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925050137/http://kitup.military.com/2014/11/army-upgrades-stinger-missiles.html |archive-date=25 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> a new flight motor and gas generator cartridge, as well as new designs for the [[o-ring]]s and integral [[desiccant]] cartridge.<ref>[https://www.army.mil/article/137184/Stinger_upgrade_to_increase_service_life__capabilities Stinger upgrade to increase service life, capabilities] {{Webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171019215337/https://www.army.mil/article/137184/Stinger_upgrade_to_increase_service_life__capabilities |date= 2017-10-19}}, Army, 29 October 2014</ref>
* '''FIM-92K''': Variant of FIM-92J designed to use a vehicle [[datalink]] rather than the missile's own seeker for targeting.<ref name= "nationalinterest18may18">[http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/stinger-missile-back-25882 This Stinger Missile Is Back] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222051/http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/stinger-missile-back-25882 |date=2018-05-24 }}. ''The National Interest''. 18 May 2018.</ref>
* '''ADSM''': ''{{vanchor|Air Defense Suppression Missile}}'': Cancelled experiment variant fitted with a passive radar seeker, designed to be used against [[radar]] wave transmitters.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}} The program began in FY 1983<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=D-9LAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA2079|title=Department of Defense Authorization for Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1981: Hearings Before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate, Ninety-sixth Congress, Second Session, on S. 2294… | work = United States Congress Senate Committee on Armed Services|date=10 April 1980|publisher= U.S. Government Printing Office|via=Google Books}}</ref> and a final report was issued 3 December 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=wAcSAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA328|title=Technical Reports Awareness Circular : TRAC.|date=10 March 1989 |publisher= Defense Technical Information Center |via= Google Books}}</ref>

==Service==
[[File:Stinger Crew Operation Desert Shield -- 1 April 1992.jpg|thumb|U.S. Army soldiers from the [[11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade (United States)|11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade]] stand next to a FIM-92 Stinger portable missile launcher during the [[Gulf War#Operation Desert Shield|Persian Gulf War]].]]
[[File:Avenger Stinger Missile.JPEG|thumb|A Stinger missile being launched from a U.S. Marine Corps [[AN/TWQ-1 Avenger]] in April 2000.]]

===Falklands War===
The Stinger's combat debut occurred during the [[Falklands War]] ({{langx|es|Guerra de las Malvinas}}) fought between the United Kingdom and Argentina. At the onset of the conflict soldiers of the [[British Army]]'s [[Special Air Service]] (SAS) had been clandestinely equipped with six missiles, although they had received little instruction in their use. The sole SAS trooper who had received training on the system, and was due to train other troops, was killed in a helicopter crash on 19 May.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Falklands/argentine-aircraftlosses.html|title=Britain's Small Wars|via=Facebook|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107231634/http://britains-smallwars.com/Falklands/argentine-aircraftlosses.html|archive-date=2009-11-07}}</ref>

Nonetheless, on 21 May 1982 an SAS soldier engaged and shot down an Argentine [[FMA IA 58 Pucará|Pucará]] ground attack aircraft with a Stinger.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naval-history.net/F44airbattles.htm|title=San Carlos Air Battles - Falklands War 1982|work=naval-history.net|access-date=2006-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603234818/http://www.naval-history.net/F44airbattles.htm|archive-date=2011-06-03|url-status=live}}</ref> On 30 May, at about 11:00 a.m., an [[Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma]] helicopter was brought down by another missile, also fired by the [[Special Air Service|SAS]], in the vicinity of [[Mount Kent]]. Six [[Argentine National Gendarmerie]] Special Forces troops were killed and eight more wounded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.mercopress.com/2002/04/12/argentine-puma-shot-down-by-american-stinger-missile#prof|title=Argentine Puma shot down by american "Stinger" missile. — MercoPress|work=MercoPress|access-date=2009-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328101020/http://en.mercopress.com/2002/04/12/argentine-puma-shot-down-by-american-stinger-missile#prof|archive-date=2012-03-28|url-status=live}}</ref>

The main MANPADS used by both sides during the Falklands War was the [[Blowpipe missile]].<ref>Freedman, Sir Lawrence, ''The Official History of the Falklands Campaign'' (Abingdon, 2005). Volume II, pages 732–735</ref>

===Soviet War in Afghanistan===
{{See also|List of Soviet aircraft losses during the Soviet–Afghan War}}

In late 1985, several groups, such as [[Free the Eagle]], began arguing the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] was not doing enough to support the [[Mujahideen]] in the [[Soviet–Afghan War]]. [[Michael Pillsbury]], [[Vincent Cannistraro]], and others put enormous bureaucratic pressure on the CIA to provide the Stinger to the rebels. The idea was controversial because up to that point, the CIA had been operating with the pretense that the United States was not involved in the war directly, for various reasons. All weapons supplied up to that point were non-U.S. sourced weapons, including [[AKM|Kalashnikov]] style assault rifles made in [[China]] and [[Military industry of Egypt|Egypt]].<ref name=crile/>

The final say-so came down to [[President of Pakistan|President]] General [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq]] of Pakistan, through whom the CIA had to pass all of its funding and weapons to the Mujahideen. President Zia constantly had to gauge how much he could "make the pot boil" in Afghanistan without provoking a Soviet invasion of his own country. According to George Crile III, U.S. Representative [[Charlie Wilson (Texas politician)|Charlie Wilson]]'s relationship with Zia was instrumental in the final go-ahead for the Stinger introduction.<ref name=crile/>

Wilson and his associates at first viewed the Stinger as "just adding another component to the lethal mix we were building."<ref name=crile/> Their increasingly successful Afghanistan strategy, formed largely by [[Michael G. Vickers]], was based on a broad mix of weapons, tactics, and logistics, not a '[[silver bullet]] solution' of a single weapon. Furthermore, the previous attempts to provide [[MANPAD]]s to the Mujahideen, namely the [[SA-7]] and [[Blowpipe (missile)|Blowpipe]], hadn't worked very well.<ref name=crile/>

Another account came from [[Richard A. Clarke|Richard Clarke]]. In his book ''[[Against All Enemies]]'', he, as a junior [[Deputy Assistant Secretary of State]] for Intelligence at the [[United States Department of State|State Department]], told his boss, [[Morton I. Abramowitz|Morton Abramowitz]], they should release Stinger missiles to the  Mujahideen. However, the CIA blocked it. Clarke was told to see his friend, [[Richard Perle]] who was then [[Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs]]. Perle didn't know about the CIA blocking the transfer and went to see [[Caspar Weinberger]], the then [[United States Secretary of Defense]] who also didn't know CIA's move. Finally, the State and Defence Department and the [[United States National Security Council]] all in favour of arming the Mujahideen, the missiles were released. The condition via Perle was the Mujahideen had to be trained in Pakistan as no US Army personnel would enter Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite book |last=Clarke |first=Richard A. |date=2004 |title=Against All Enemies: Inside America's War on Terror |url=https://www.amazon.sg/dp/0743260457?ref_=mr_referred_us_sg_sg |location= |publisher=Simon & Schuster UK UK Ltd |page=48-49 |isbn= 0-7432-6823-7 |access-date=September 19, 2025}}</ref>

Engineer Ghaffar, of [[Gulbuddin Hekmatyar]]'s [[Hezb-i-Islami]], brought down the first [[Mil Mi-24|Hind]] gunship with a Stinger on 25 September 1986 near [[Jalalabad]].<ref name=crile/><ref name=stripes1/><ref name="homeland1">{{cite web|url=http://www.homeland1.com/air-traffic/articles/879393-Successful-surface-to-air-missile-attack-shows-threat-to-airliners/|title=Successful surface-to-air missile attack shows threat to airliners|work=HomeLand1|access-date=2012-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118094121/http://www.homeland1.com/air-traffic/articles/879393-Successful-surface-to-air-missile-attack-shows-threat-to-airliners/|archive-date=2013-01-18|url-status=live}}</ref> As part of [[Operation Cyclone]], the CIA eventually supplied nearly 500 Stingers (some sources claim 1,500–2,000) to the Mujahideen in Afghanistan,<ref name=malley>Malley, William (2002) ''The Afghanistan wars''. Palgrave Macmillan, p. 80. {{ISBN|0-333-80290-X}}</ref> and 250 launchers.<ref>Hilali, A. Z. (2005). ''US-Pakistan relationship: Soviet invasion of Afghanistan''. p. 169. {{ISBN|0-7546-4220-8}}</ref>

The impact of the Stinger on the outcome of the war is contested, particularly in the translation between the impact on the tactical battlefield to the strategic level withdrawal, and the influence the first had on the second.<ref name="dtic.mil" /> Dr. Robert F. Baumann (of the [[United States Army Command and General Staff College|Staff College at Fort Leavenworth]]) described its impact on "Soviet tactical operations" as "unmistakable".<ref>Robert F. Baumann "Compound War Case Study: The Soviets in Afghanistan". In [http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/army/compound_warfare_cgsc.pdf ''Compound warfare: That fatal knot''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180949/http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/army/compound_warfare_cgsc.pdf |date=2015-09-23 }} Thomas M. Huber (ed.) U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Press, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. pg 296</ref> This opinion was shared by Yossef Bodansky.<ref>Yossef Bodansky. [http://hufind.huji.ac.il/Record/HUJ001254812 "SAMs in Afghanistan: assessing the impact."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206212948/http://hufind.huji.ac.il/Record/HUJ001254812 |date=2016-12-06 }} ''Jane's Defence Weekly'', vol. 8, no. 03, 1987 pp. 153–154</ref><ref name="dtic.mil">{{cite journal|url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a413880.pdf|title=The Stinger missile and U.S. intervention in Afghanistan|author=Alan J. Kuperman|journal=Political Science Quarterly|volume=114|issue=Summer 1999|pages=219–263|access-date=2014-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021160520/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a413880.pdf|archive-date=2014-10-21|url-status=live|doi=10.2307/2657738|jstor=2657738|year=1999}}</ref> Soviet, and later, Russian, accounts give little significance to the Stinger for strategically ending the war.<ref name=malley/><ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/17/weekinreview/the-world-the-stinger-missile-helping-to-change-the-course-of-a-war.html |work=The New York Times |first=John H. Jr. |last=Cushman |title=The World: The Stinger Missile; Helping to Change the Course of a War |date=17 January 1988 |access-date=7 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228064608/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/17/weekinreview/the-world-the-stinger-missile-helping-to-change-the-course-of-a-war.html |archive-date=28 December 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Scott, Peter (2003). ''Drugs, oil, and war: the United States in Afghanistan, Colombia, and Indochina''. Rowman & Littlefield, p. 5. {{ISBN|0-7425-2522-8}}</ref>

According to the 1993 [[Air Defense Artillery Branch (United States)|U.S. Air Defense Artillery]] Yearbook, the Mujahideen gunners used the supplied Stingers to score approximately 269 total aircraft kills in about 340 engagements, a 79% kill probability.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airdefenseartillery.com/files/64224585.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425052021/http://www.airdefenseartillery.com/files/64224585.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-04-25|title=Air Defense Artillery Yearbook 1993|author=Blair Case, Lisa B. Henry|page=20|publisher=US Army Air Defense Artillery Branch}}</ref> If this report is accurate, Stingers would be responsible for over half of [[List of Soviet aircraft losses during the Soviet–Afghan War|the 451 Soviet aircraft losses in Afghanistan]].<ref name="dtic.mil"/> But these statistics are based on Mujahideen self-reporting, which is of unknown reliability. [[Selig Harrison]] rejects such figures, quoting a Russian general who claims the United States "greatly exaggerated" Soviet and Afghan aircraft losses during the war. According to Soviet figures, in 1987–1988, only 35 aircraft and 63 helicopters were destroyed by all causes.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hammerich |first=Helmut |title=Die Grenzen des Militärischen |publisher=Hartmann, Miles-Verl |location=Berlin |year=2010 |isbn=9783937885308 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hWuwxZeYsZQC&pg=PA195 |page=195}}</ref> The [[Pakistan Army]] fired 28 Stingers at enemy aircraft with no kill.<ref name="dtic.mil"/> According to Soviet figures, by 25 December 1987, only 38 aircraft (airplanes, helicopters) were lost and 14 more were damaged by MANPADS ([[Blowpipe (missile)|Blowpipe]] or Stinger), or 10.2% kill probability.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allworldwars.com/The-Bear-vs-Mujahideen-in-Afghanistan-by-Edward-Westermann.html|title=The Limits of Soviet Air Power: The Bear versus Mujahideen in Afghanistan by Edward Westermann|website=www.allworldwars.com}}</ref>

According to Crile, who includes information from [[Alexander Prokhanov]], the Stinger was a "turning point".<ref name=crile /> [[Milt Bearden]] saw it as a "[[force multiplier]]" and morale booster.<ref name=crile /> Representative Charlie Wilson, the politician behind Operation Cyclone, described the first Stinger [[Mi-24]] shootdowns in 1986 as one of the three crucial moments of his experience in the war, saying "we never really won a set-piece battle before September 26, and then we never lost one afterwards."<ref name=rose1 /><ref name=sixty1 /> He was given the first spent Stinger tube as a gift and kept it on his office wall.<ref name=crile /><ref name=sixty1 /> That launch tube is now on exhibit at the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Museum, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

Other military analysts tend to be dismissive of the impact of the Stinger. According to [[Alan J. Kuperman]], the Stingers did make an impact at first but within a few months flares, beacons, and exhaust baffles were installed to disorient the missiles, along with night operation and terrain-hugging tactics to prevent the rebels from getting a clear shot. By 1988, Kuperman states, the Mujahideen had all but stopped firing them.<ref name=Kuperman-2002-CFR>{{cite journal|last1=Kuperman|first1=Alan J.|title=Stinging Rebukes|journal=Foreign Affairs|date=January–February 2002|volume=81|issue=1|pages=230–231|doi=10.2307/20033070|jstor=20033070|url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/afghanistan/2002-01-01/stinging-rebukes|access-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720205124/https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/afghanistan/2002-01-01/stinging-rebukes|archive-date=20 July 2015|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Another source ([[Jonathan Steele (journalist)|Jonathan Steele]]) states that Stingers forced Soviet helicopters and ground attack planes to bomb from higher altitudes with less accuracy, but did not bring down many more aircraft than Chinese heavy machine guns and other less sophisticated anti-aircraft weaponry.<ref name=Steele-2010>{{cite journal|last1=Steele|first1=Jonathan|title=Afghan Ghosts: American Myths|journal=World Affairs Journal|year=2010|url=http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/article/afghan-ghosts-american-myths|access-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717215845/http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/article/afghan-ghosts-american-myths|archive-date=17 July 2015|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

The last Stingers were supplied in 1988 after increasing reports of fighters selling them to Iran and thawing relations with Moscow.<ref name="homeland1" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psywarrior.com/Herbafghan02.html|title=Afghanistan PSYOP Leaflet|work=psywarrior.com|access-date=2013-07-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902091222/http://www.psywarrior.com/Herbafghan02.html|archive-date=2013-09-02|url-status=live}}</ref> After the 1989 Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, the U.S. [[Operation MIAS|attempted to buy back the Stinger missiles]], with a $55 million program launched in 1990 to buy back around 300 missiles (US$183,300 each).<ref>{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Weiner |title=U.S. Increases Fund To Outbid Terrorists For Afghan Missiles |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/24/world/us-increases-fund-to-outbid-terrorists-for-afghan-missiles.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=24 July 1993 |access-date=2008-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104113232/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/24/world/us-increases-fund-to-outbid-terrorists-for-afghan-missiles.html |archive-date=4 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The U.S. government collected most of the Stingers it had delivered, but by 1996 around 600 were unaccounted for and some found their way into [[Croatia]], [[Iran]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Qatar]], and [[North Korea]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nisat.org/weapons%20pages%20linked/US/stinger_missile_system.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927211359/http://www.nisat.org/weapons%20pages%20linked/US/stinger_missile_system.htm|url-status=dead|title=Stinger missile system|archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref><ref name="foreignpolicy.com">{{cite journal | journal=Foreign Policy | title=Stop Panicking About the Stingers | url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2010/07/28/stop-panicking-about-the-stingers/ | date=28 July 2010 | author=Matthew Schroeder | access-date=2 August 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802165612/https://foreignpolicy.com/2010/07/28/stop-panicking-about-the-stingers/ | archive-date=2 August 2017 | url-status=live }}</ref> According to the CIA, already in August 1988 the U.S. had demanded from Qatar the return of Stinger missiles.<ref name="CIA0000258681">{{cite web |title=Middle East brief (deleted) for 2 August 1988: In brief: x—Qatar |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |url=http://www.foia.cia.gov/docs/DOC_0000258681/DOC_0000258681.pdf |date=1988-08-02 |access-date=2010-11-14 |page=3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323061538/http://www.foia.cia.gov/docs/DOC_0000258681/DOC_0000258681.pdf |archive-date=23 March 2012 }}</ref> Wilson later told CBS he "lived in terror" that a civilian airliner would be shot down by a Stinger, but he did not have misgivings about having provided Stingers to defeat the Soviets.<ref name=sixty1/>

The story of the Stingers in Afghanistan was popularly told in the media by Western sources primarily, notably in ''[[Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History|Charlie Wilson's War]]'' by [[George Crile III|George Crile]], and ''[[Ghost Wars]]'' by [[Steve Coll]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

===Angolan civil war===
The [[Presidency of Ronald Reagan|Reagan administration]] provided 310 Stingers to [[Jonas Savimbi]]'s [[UNITA]] movement in [[Angola]] between 1986 and 1989.<ref name=trade>{{cite web |url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |title=Trade Registers |publisher=Armstrade.sipri.org |access-date=2013-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513073842/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |archive-date=2011-05-13 |url-status=live }}</ref> As in Afghanistan, efforts to recover missiles after the end of hostilities proved incomplete. The battery of a Stinger lasts for four or five years, so any battery supplied in the 1980s would now be inoperative<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/id/116582/|title=Stingers, Stingers, Who's Got the Stingers?|work=Slate|last=Silverstein|first=Ken|date=3 October 2001|access-date=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110131080741/http://www.slate.com/id/116582/|archive-date=31 January 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> but during the [[Syrian Civil War]], insurgents showed how easily they switched to different batteries, including common car batteries, as power sources for several MANPADS models.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://armamentresearch.com/improvised-manpads-batteries-employed-in-syria/|title=Improvised MANPADS batteries employed in Syria {{!}} Armament Research Services|website=armamentresearch.com|date=22 July 2014|access-date=2016-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725102315/http://armamentresearch.com/improvised-manpads-batteries-employed-in-syria/|archive-date=2016-07-25|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Libyan invasion of Chad===
The French army used 15 firing positions and 30 missiles purchased in 1983 for operations in Chad. The [[35th Parachute Artillery Regiment]] made an unsuccessful fire during a Libyan bombardment on 10 September 1987 and shot down a Hercules transport aircraft on 7 July 1988.<ref name="arn">Arnaud Delalande, [https://warisboring.com/the-ghost-plane-of-faya-largeau/ The Ghost Plane of Faya-Largeau] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110180239/http://warisboring.com/the-ghost-plane-of-faya-largeau/ |date=2018-01-10 }}, 9 January 2018.</ref>

The Chadian government received Stinger missiles from the United States, when [[Chadian–Libyan conflict|Libya invaded]] the northern part of the African country.
On 8 October 1987, a [[Sukhoi Su-17|Libyan Su-22MK]] was shot down by a FIM-92A fired by Chadian forces. The pilot, Capt. Diya al-Din, ejected and was captured. He was later granted political asylum by the French government. During the recovery operation, a [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|Libyan MiG-23MS]] was shot down by a FIM-92A.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_360.shtml |title=Welcome to the Air Combat Information Group |access-date=2011-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821000146/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_360.shtml |archive-date=2013-08-21 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

===Tajik civil war===
Tajik Islamist opposition forces operating from Afghanistan during the [[Civil war in Tajikistan|1992–97 Tajik civil war]] encountered a heavy air campaign launched by Russia and Uzbekistan to prop up the government in [[Dushanbe]] that included border and cross-border raids. During one of these operations, a [[Sukhoi Su-24]]M was shot down on 3 May 1993 with a Stinger fired by the opposition. Both Russian pilots were rescued.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=NFSYcyJULK0C&dq=UZBEKISTAN+SUKHOI-24+tajikistan&pg=PA33 Human Rights in Tajikistan: In the Wake of Civil War] By Escrito por Rachel Denber, Barnett R. Rubin, Jeri Laber. Google Books.</ref>

===Chechen War===
Russian officials claimed several times that the Chechen militia and insurgents possessed US-made Stinger missiles. They attributed a few of their aerial losses to the American MANPADS. The presence of such missiles was confirmed by photo evidence, and were said to originate from Afghan smuggling routes that passed through Georgia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.calibreobscura.com/exotic-species-of-the-north-caucasus-pt-1/|title=Exotic species of the North Caucasus (Pt 1): Problematic MANPADS|date=December 19, 2021|publisher=Calibre Obscura|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124125349/https://www.calibreobscura.com/exotic-species-of-the-north-caucasus-pt-1/|archive-date=January 24, 2022|quote=The first FIM-92 fell into the hands of the separatists back in 1995-1996[...] from Georgia. [....] The CIA, as part of Operation Cyclone, supplied MANPADS to the forces of the "Afghan Opposition" represented by the Mujahideen.}}</ref>
It is believed one [[Sukhoi Su-24]] was shot down by a Stinger missile during the [[Second Chechen War]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Pashin |first=Alexander |title=Russian Army Operations and Weaponry During Second Military Campaign in Chechnya |url=http://mdb.cast.ru/mdb/3-2002/ac/raowdsmcc/ |publisher=Moscow Defense Brief |access-date=8 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129141108/http://mdb.cast.ru/mdb/3-2002/ac/raowdsmcc/ |archive-date=29 January 2009 }}</ref>

===Sri Lankan civil war===
The [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] also managed to acquire one or several Stingers, possibly from former Mujahideen stocks, and used at least one to down a [[Sri Lanka Air Force]] Mi-24 on 10 November 1997.<ref name="foreignpolicy.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=141721|title=ASN Aircraft accident 10-NOV-1997 Mil Mi-24 CH619|author=Harro Ranter|work=aviation-safety.net|access-date=2013-07-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507145238/http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=141721|archive-date=2015-05-07|url-status=live}}</ref>

===United States===
In 2000, the U.S. inventory contained 13,400 missiles. The total cost of the program is $7,281,000,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/stinger.htm|title=FIM-92A Stinger Weapons System: RMP & Basic|access-date=2016-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114140205/http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/stinger.htm|archive-date=2016-01-14|url-status=live}}</ref>
It is rumored that the [[United States Secret Service]] has Stinger missiles to defend the President, a notion that has never been dispelled; however, U.S. Secret Service plans favor moving the President to a safer place in the event of an attack rather than shooting down the plane, lest the missile (or the wreckage of the target aircraft) hit innocents.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/13/us/crash-white-house-defenses-pilot-s-exploit-rattles-white-house-officials.html |title=Crash at the White House: The defenses; Pilot's Exploit Rattles White House Officials |work=[[The New York Times]] |author=Stephen Labaton |date=13 September 1994 |access-date=2008-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713194415/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/13/us/crash-white-house-defenses-pilot-s-exploit-rattles-white-house-officials.html |archive-date=13 July 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the 1980s, the Stinger was used to support different US-aligned guerrilla forces, notably the Afghan Mujahidins, the Chad government against the Libyan invasion and the Angolan UNITA. The Nicaraguan contras were not provided with Stingers due to the lack of fixed wing aircraft of the Sandinista government, as such the previous generation [[FIM-43 Redeye]] was considered adequate.<ref name="nytimes" />

===Syrian civil war===
In the [[Syrian civil war]], Turkey reportedly helped to transport a limited amount of FIM-92 Stingers to the [[Free Syrian Army]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/14/world/middleeast/syrian-rebels-claim-to-have-brought-down-a-jet.html?pagewanted=all|title=Syrian Rebels Claim to Have Brought Down a Jet|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=13 August 2012|access-date=13 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816054952/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/14/world/middleeast/syrian-rebels-claim-to-have-brought-down-a-jet.html?pagewanted=all|archive-date=16 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 27 February 2020, during the [[Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–present)|northwestern offensive]] launched in December 2019 by the Syrian regime (backed by Russia, [[Iran]] and [[Hezbollah]]), Russian and Syrian aircraft (variously reportedly as Russian [[Su-34]]s and Syrian [[Su-22]]) [[2020 Balyun airstrikes|attacked a Turkish military convoy near Idlib]], killing 36 Turkish soldiers. That day, video footage emerged of alleged Turkish soldiers (backing Syrian opposition fighters) firing what apparently looks like a [[Roketsan]]-made Stinger against either Russian or Syrian aircraft (or possibly against both).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/32394/turkey-strikes-back-and-calls-for-no-fly-zone-after-its-troops-die-in-syria-airstrikes|title=Turkey Strikes Back And Calls For No-Fly-Zone After Its Troops Die in Syria Airstrikes (Updated)|first=Joseph|last=Trevithick|website=The Drive|date=28 February 2020 }}</ref>

===Russo-Ukrainian War===
[[File:UA anti-air battalion of 30th bgd 05.jpg|thumb|Ukrainian soldier of the [[30th Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)|30th Mechanized Brigade]] Anti-Air Battalion with a FIM-92 Stinger during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]]]

In February 2022, several countries announced that they were providing Stinger missiles to [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] forces defending against the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion]].
Germany announced that it would provide 500 missiles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-26 |title=In 'turning point,' Germany to send Stinger missiles and anti-tank weapons to Ukraine |url=https://www.cbs17.com/russia-ukraine-conflict/germany-to-send-stinger-missiles-and-anti-tank-weapons-to-ukraine/ |access-date=2022-02-28 |website=CBS17.com |language=en-US |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227025735/https://www.cbs17.com/russia-ukraine-conflict/germany-to-send-stinger-missiles-and-anti-tank-weapons-to-ukraine/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Denmark said that it will provide parts for 300 missiles, to be assembled in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/danmark-sender-vaaben-til-ukraine-vi-ser-en-enestaaende-heroisk-indsats-fra |title=Danmark sender våben til Ukraine: 'Vi ser en enestående heroisk indsats fra ukrainerne, og vi ønsker at hjælpe' |trans-title=Denmark sends weapons to Ukraine: 'We see a unique heroic effort from the Ukrainians, and we want to help' |language=Danish |last=Jenvall |first=Line |website=[[DR (broadcaster)|DR]] |date=2022-02-27 |access-date=2022-03-05}}</ref>
The Netherlands stated they would supply at least 200 units.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Reuters|date=2022-02-13 |title=The netherlands to supply 200 stinger missiles to Ukraine |language=en |work=DutchNews |url=https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2022/02/the-netherlands-to-supply-200-stinger-missiles-to-ukraine/ |access-date=2022-02-28}}</ref>
Italy,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://tg24.sky.it/mondo/2022/03/04/guerra-ucraina-armi-italia |title=Guerra in Ucraina, cosa sappiamo sulle armi inviate dall'Italia a Kiev |trans-title=War in Ukraine, what we know about the weapons sent from Italy to Kiev |language=Italian |website=Sky TG24 |date=2022-03-04 |access-date=2022-03-05}}</ref>
Latvia,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Insinna |first=Valerie |date=2022-01-21 |title=Baltic nations sending US-made Stingers, Javelins to Ukraine |url=https://breakingdefense.sites.breakingmedia.com/2022/01/baltic-nations-sending-us-made-stingers-javelins-to-ukraine/ |access-date=2022-02-28 |website=Breaking Defense |language=en-US}}</ref>
Lithuania,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-02-13 |title=Ukraine receives anti-aircraft missiles from Lithuania |language=en |work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-receives-anti-aircraft-missiles-lithuania-2022-02-13/ |access-date=2022-02-28}}</ref>
and the United States<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-28 |title=US approves direct delivery of Stinger missiles to Ukraine |url=https://www.cbs17.com/russia-ukraine-conflict/us-approves-direct-delivery-of-stinger-missiles-to-ukraine/ |access-date=2022-02-28 |website=CBS17.com |language=en-US |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309015040/https://www.cbs17.com/russia-ukraine-conflict/us-approves-direct-delivery-of-stinger-missiles-to-ukraine/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> each stated that they would provide undisclosed amounts.

By 7 March, the U.S. reported that it and its NATO allies had together sent more than 2,000 Stinger missiles to Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |author=Oren Liebermann |title=At a secret airfield in Eastern Europe, a multinational effort to send weapons to Ukraine proceeds at high speed |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/06/politics/mark-milley-ukraine-military-assistance/index.html |access-date=7 March 2022 |publisher=CNN|date=7 March 2022}}</ref> In late April 2022, [[Raytheon Technologies]] CEO [[Greg Hayes]] told investors that the company was experiencing supply chain issues and would not be able to ramp up production of Stinger missiles until 2023. This delay was in part due to the fact the Stinger was scheduled to be replaced in the 2020s and thus contained obsolete components, which have to be redesigned for modern procurement. As of 11 May 2022, the U.S. had sent a quarter of its aging Stinger missile stockpile to Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McLeary |first1=Paul |title=Raytheon chief warns of delays in replenishing Stinger missile stocks |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/26/raytheon-stinger-missile-stocks-delay-00027766 |website=Politico |date=26 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gould |first1=Joe |last2=Judson |first2=Jen |title=Stinger shortcut: US Army seeks special funding for missile supply chain |url=https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2022/05/11/stinger-shortcut-us-army-seeks-special-funding-for-missile-supply-chain/ |website=Defense News |date=11 May 2022 |quote=...the 1,400 Stingers sent to Ukraine represent a quarter of U.S. stockpiles.}}</ref>

On 20 August 2022, Russia supplied a single Stinger to Iran, for them to attempt reverse engineering the modern version of it.<ref name=dh>{{Cite web |author=Deborah Haynes |title=Russia flew €140m in cash and captured Western weapons to Iran in return for deadly drones, source claims |url=https://news.sky.com/story/russia-gave-eur140m-and-captured-western-weapons-to-iran-in-return-for-deadly-drones-source-claims-12741742 |date= 9 November 2022|access-date=10 November 2022 |website= Sky News|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420211129/https://news.sky.com/story/russia-gave-eur140m-and-captured-western-weapons-to-iran-in-return-for-deadly-drones-source-claims-12741742|archive-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref>

==Operators==
<!-- READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you. -->

[[File:TAF, Taipei, Taiwan, 雙聯裝刺針飛彈武器系統, 空軍總部舊址, 台北, 台灣 (19588120724).jpg|thumb|[[Taiwan]]ese multiple Stinger missile launcher demonstration in [[Taipei]]'s old Air Force base]]
[[File:08.30 總統秋節勗勉「空軍天駒部隊」、「澎防部防空連」、「空軍第七雷達中隊」及「海軍146艦隊」 (52322383440).jpg|thumb|multiple Stinger missile launcher demonstration on Penghu Defense Command Air Defense Company]]


===Countries===
* {{ALB}}:<ref name="albstinger"/> In May 2022, Minister Niko Peleshi announced the purchase of Javelin and Stinger missiles
* {{flagcountry|Islamic Republic of Afghanistan}}: used by [[Afghan Mujahideen]].<ref name="JanesDefense">{{cite book |last1=Cullen |first1=Tony |last2=Foss |first2=C.F. |title=Jane's Land-based Air Defence 1992-93 |date=1 March 1992 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=978-0710609793 |pages=52–56 |edition=5}}</ref>
* {{flag|Angola}}
* {{AUS}}: formerly used by [[Special Air Service Regiment|SASR]] in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bonner |first1=Stuart |last2=Macklin |first2=Robert |title=Redback One: Explosive Action in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan: The True Story of an Australian SAS Hero |date=2014 |publisher=Hachette Australia |location=Sydney, New South Wales |isbn=9780733630606 |page=253}}</ref>
* {{BHR}}<ref name="IISS2023" />{{rp|318}}
* {{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
* {{flag|Chad}}: limited use.<ref name="JanesDefense"/>
* {{CHL}}
* {{COL}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.infodefensa.com/latam/2015/09/23/noticia-colombia-adquiere-nuevos-lotes-misiles-antiaereos-antitanques.html|title=Colombia adquiere 60 misiles antiaéreos Stinger y 100 TOW antitanques - Noticias Infodefensa América|last=Infodefensa.com|date=2015-09-23|language=es|access-date=2016-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527025052/http://www.infodefensa.com/latam/2015/09/23/noticia-colombia-adquiere-nuevos-lotes-misiles-antiaereos-antitanques.html|archive-date=2016-05-27|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{CRO}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nostrant |first1=Rachel |title=Paratroopers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade fire live Stinger missiles in Croatia |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/04/18/paratroopers-with-the-173rd-airborne-brigade-fire-live-stinger-missiles-in-unit-first/ |access-date=19 June 2025 |work=Army Times |date=19 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
* {{DNK}}<ref name="IISS2023">{{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2023 |date=15 February 2023 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1032508955 |edition=1st |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies }}</ref>{{rp|85}}
* {{EGY}}<ref name="IISS2023" />{{rp|321}}
* {{FIN}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/hs_finland_to_splurge_90_million_on_us_stinger_missiles/7049608|title=HS: Finland to splurge 90 million on US Stinger missiles|work=Yle Uutiset|date=24 January 2014 |access-date=2014-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126151842/http://yle.fi/uutiset/hs_finland_to_splurge_90_million_on_us_stinger_missiles/7049608|archive-date=2014-01-26|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{FRA}}<ref name="arn" />
* {{GER}}<ref name="IISS2023" />{{rp|96}}
* {{GRE}}<ref name="IISS2023" />{{rp|98}}
* {{IND}}
* {{IRN}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/17/world/iranians-captured-stinger-missiles-from-afghan-guerrillas-us-says.html|title=Iranians Captured Stinger Missiles From Afghan Guerrillas, U.S. Says|last=Times|first=Stephen Engelberg With Bernard E. Trainor, Special to the New York|date=1987-10-17|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228070931/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/17/world/iranians-captured-stinger-missiles-from-afghan-guerrillas-us-says.html|archive-date=2016-12-28|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://iran-times.com/pak-general-says-iran-stole-stinger-missiles/|title=Pak general says Iran stole Stinger missiles|work=iran-times.com|date=25 August 2011 |access-date=2015-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717161140/http://iran-times.com/pak-general-says-iran-stole-stinger-missiles/|archive-date=2015-07-17|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bgmqCQAAQBAJ&q=Stinger+iran+iraq+war&pg=PA76|title=Inside ISI: The Story and Involvement of the ISI, Afghan Jihad, Taliban, Al-Qaeda, 9/11, Osama Bin Laden, 26/11 and the Future of Al-Qaeda~|first=S. K.|last=Datta|date=12 June 2014|publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd|via=Google Books|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409044044/https://books.google.se/books?id=bgmqCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA76&lpg=PA76&dq=Stinger+iran+iraq+war&source=bl&ots=fUZxfiB0TW&sig=GqLIbNmo7--TvgB6t_3eaS64iDM&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi_hOeanPLXAhXIIpoKHfXrByQQ6AEIRzAI#v=onepage&q=Stinger+iran+iraq+war&f=false|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live|isbn=9789382652595}}</ref> 
* {{IRQ}}
** {{KUR}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2023/12/16/iraqi-kurdistan-may-finally-acquire-air-defenses-after-years-of-unprovoked-missile-and-drone-attacks/?sh=11ba8d994f3a |title=Iraqi Kurdistan May Finally Acquire Air Defenses After Years Of Unprovoked Missile And Drone Attacks |website=[[Forbes]] |access-date=Dec 16, 2023}}</ref>
* {{ISR}}<ref name="IISS2023" />{{rp|332}}
* {{ITA}}: Used by the Army and Marines.<ref name="IISS2023" />{{rp|105–106}}
* {{JPN}}
* {{KWT}}<ref name="IISS2023" />{{rp|336}}
* {{LAT}}: Used by the Air Force.<ref name="IISS2023" />{{rp|108}}
* {{LIT}}: Used by the Air Force.<ref name="IISS2023" />{{rp|111}}
* {{MAR}}: Part of a $4.25 billion AH-64E deal<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.defensenews.com/land/2019/11/20/state-approves-425-billion-apache-helo-sale-to-morocco/ |title = US State Dept. Approves $4.25 billion Apache helo sale to Morocco|date = 2019-11-20}}</ref>
* {{NLD}}: Used by the Army and Marines.<ref>{{cite web |author=Henny de Boer |date=18 November 2025 |title=Mijn Materieel: Stinger MANPADS |url=https://magazines.defensie.nl/materieelgezien/2025/09/mijn-materieel-stinger-manpads |website=Materieelgezien |publisher=Defensie.nl |language=Dutch}}</ref><ref name="IISS2023" />{{rp|117}}
* {{PRK}}<ref name="Weapon">{{cite book|title=North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition|chapter=Stinger|page=A-70|author=US Department of Defense|chapter-url=https://fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/nkor.pdf|access-date=2018-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111733/http://fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/nkor.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/160759/BICC_brief_47.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2018-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821031811/https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/160759/BICC_brief_47.pdf |archive-date=2018-08-21 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{NOR}}
* {{PAK}}: 350 in service with the [[Pakistan Army]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=R.S.N.|title=Asian Strategic And Military Perspective|year=2005|publisher=Lancer Publishers|isbn=9788170622451|page=238}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Nuclear Proliferation in South Asia: Crisis Behaviour and the Bomb|year=2008|publisher=[[Routledge]]|isbn=978-0-203-89286-2|page=174|author=Sumit Ganguly & S. Paul Kapur}}</ref>
* {{POR}}: In 2021 Portuguese Army acquired new [[missile]]s and sights.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Transfers of major weapons: Deals with deliveries or orders made for 1960 to 2020 |publisher=SIPRI Arms Transfers Database |year=2021}}</ref>
* {{flag|Qatar}}: Used by the Air Force.<ref name="IISS2023" />{{rp|350}}
* {{SAU}}<ref name="IISS2023" />{{rp|352}}
* {{SLO}}
* {{KOR}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.helis.com/database/news/stinger_korea/|title=Stingers for South Korea AH-64E Apaches|access-date=2016-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812184444/http://www.helis.com/database/news/stinger_korea/|archive-date=2016-08-12|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{SWI}}<ref name="IISS2023" />{{rp|140}}
* {{TWN}}: [[Republic of China Navy]], [[Republic of China Marine Corps]], [[Republic of China Army]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-01|title=Military seeks to increase order of Stingers |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2024/09/01/2003823079 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=[[Taipei Times]]}}</ref>
* {{TUR}}: Stingers made under license by [[Roketsan]].<ref>[http://www.roketsan.com.tr/products_eng.php?id=12 Official Roketsan Stinger Page.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101220840/http://www.roketsan.com.tr/products_eng.php?id=12 |date=2009-01-01 }} Retrieved on 23 October 2008.</ref> 4,800+ Stinger missiles were supplied under "Stinger Air Defense Guided Missile System European Common Production Program". Additional 1,000 Stinger needs were identified in July 2000 and the deliveries were completed in 2003.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sünnetçi|first=İbrahim|date=2020|title=Turkey & Stinger MANPADS Missile Procurement|url=https://www.defenceturkey.com/en/content/turkey-stinger-manpads-missile-procurement-4253|journal=Defence Turkey Magazine|volume=15-101}}</ref> 
* {{UKR}}: Lithuania and Latvia have transferred unknown quantities of Stinger missiles from their inventory to Ukraine after receiving an approval from the U.S. State Department. The Netherlands will supply Ukraine with 200 Stinger missiles.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Zaken|first=Ministerie van Buitenlandse|date=2022-02-26|title=Kamerbrief stand van zaken ontwikkelingen in en rondom Oekraïne - Kamerstuk - Rijksoverheid.nl|url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2022/02/26/kamerbrief-stand-van-zaken-oekraine|access-date=2022-02-26|website=rijksoverheid.nl|language=nl-NL|archive-date=26 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226080409/https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2022/02/26/kamerbrief-stand-van-zaken-oekraine|url-status=dead}}</ref> Germany will supply 500 Stingers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-26 |title=Live updates: Germany to send anti-tank weapons to Ukraine |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-nations-general-assembly-kyiv-boris-johnson-business-2db2e7aeab196d941e7b66492feca14b |access-date=2022-02-26 |work=Associated Press News |language=en}}</ref> On 16 March 2022, the U.S. announced that an additional 800 Stinger missiles would be transferred, following an earlier transfer of over 600 missiles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/03/16/fact-sheet-on-u-s-security-assistance-for-ukraine/|title = Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance for Ukraine|date = 16 March 2022}}</ref> Italy sent an undisclosed number of Stinger missiles since spring 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/05/guns-not-gnocchi-italian-military-aid.html | title=Guns Not Gnocchi: Italian Military Aid to Ukraine }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/11/10/italy-preps-new-ukraine-arms-shipment-is-sampt-air-defense-included/ | title=Italy preps new Ukraine arms shipment. Is SAMP/T air defense included? | date=10 November 2022 }}</ref>
* {{UK}}<ref name="JanesDefense"/>
* {{USA}}

===Organizations===
* {{flagicon image|Flag of UNITA.svg}} [[UNITA]]<ref name=trade />

==See also==
* {{lwc|9K38 Igla}}
* {{lwc|9K333 Verba}}
* {{lwc|RBS 70}}
* {{lwc|Anza (missile)|Anza}}
* {{lwc|FN-6}}
* {{lwc|PZR Grom|Grom}}
* {{lwc|Misagh-2}}
* {{lwc|Mistral (missile)|Mistral}}
* {{lwc|Sungur}}
* {{lwc|Piorun (missile)|Piorun}}
* {{lwc|Qaem#Qaem ground to air missile|Qaem}}
* {{lwc|QW missile|QW-1 Vanguard}} 
* {{lwc|Type 91 surface-to-air missile}}

==References==
{{Reflist |2| refs =

<ref name=albstinger>{{cite web | url=https://www.mod.gov.al/eng/newsroom/1533-defence-achievements-in-2022-from-the-start-of-the-construction-of-the-nato-base-in-kucova-to-the-modernization-of-the-af-and-civil-protection | title=Defence achievements in 2022, from the start of the construction of the NATO base in Kuçova to the modernization of the AF and Civil Protection }}</ref>

<ref name=rose1>
[http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/9055 A conversation with Charlie Wilson] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304120101/http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/9055 |date=2012-03-04 }}, Charlie Rose, PBS, 24 April 2008, via charlierose.com
</ref>

<ref name=crile>
[[Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History]], [[George Crile III|George Crile]], 2003, Grove/Atlantic.
</ref>

<ref name=sixty1>
[http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3632160n Charlie Did It] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003045143/http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3632160n |date=2012-10-03 }}, CBS News, 60 minutes. 19 December 2007 9:51 AM, From 13 March 2001: Former Rep. Charlie Wilson looks back on his efforts to arm the Mujahedeen against the Soviet Union back in the 1980s. Mike Wallace reports.
</ref>

<ref name=stripes1>
[http://www.stripes.com/news/military-engineer-recounts-role-in-soviet-afghan-war-1.82904 Military engineer recounts role in Soviet-Afghan war] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710193142/http://www.stripes.com/news/military-engineer-recounts-role-in-soviet-afghan-war-1.82904 |date=2012-07-10 }}, By Michael Gisick, Stars and Stripes, Published: 11 September 2008
</ref>

}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |editor1-last=O'Halloran |editor1-first=James C. |editor2=Christopher F. Foss |year=2005 |title=Jane's Land-Based Air Defence 2005–2006 |location=Coulsdon, Surrey, UK |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=0710626975}}

== External links ==
{{Commons and category|FIM-92 Stinger}}
* [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-92.html Raytheon (General Dynamics) FIM-92 Stinger – Designation Systems]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040423105419/http://defense-update.com/products/s/stinger.htm Defense Update: Stinger VSHORAD Missile]
* {{YouTube|1W6V2Ad39rc|Stinger missiles in Syrian Civil War}}
* [https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/stinger.htm FIM-92A Stinger Weapons System: RMP & Basic] at the [[Federation of American Scientists]] Military Analysis Network

{{Raytheon}}
{{Modern US Infantry Weapons}}
{{US missiles}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fim-92 Stinger}}
[[Category:Cold War surface-to-air missiles of the United States|FIM092]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Naval surface-to-air missiles of the United States|FIM092]]
[[Category:Raytheon Company products]]
[[Category:Surface-to-air missiles of the United States|FIM092]]