Ukraine Closes in on Long-Range JASSM Missile Deal With US

Washington is close to a deal in which it will give Kyiv long-range cruise missiles that can strike deep into Russia, it has been reported

Unnamed officials cited by Reuters said that Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs) will be part of a weapons package that is expected to be announced this fall, pending a final decision.

Retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, a former commander of the U.S. Army Europe, who has repeatedly called for Washington to commit to providing Kyiv with long-range weapons, welcomed the prospect of the missiles being given to Ukraine, but pointed out there had already been too much of a delay.

"I'm glad that they're considering it, but it highlights the utter failure to deliver these capabilities more than two years ago," he told Newsweek.

Newsweek contacted the White House and the Pentagon for comment.

The AGM-158A version of the missile has a 330-mile range, while the AGM-158B variant, 575 miles, potentially putting Russian staging areas and supply depots far from the front lines within striking distance of Ukraine's forces.

Politico reported in August that the Biden administration was "open" to giving Ukraine the weapons. They are 2,400-pound missiles that carry a 1,000-pound warhead and will bring into range up to 30 Russian airbases, some of which are used to launch attacks on Ukraine.

The JASSM is only integrated into U.S.-designed aircraft and Ukraine will be operating F-16s, which can carry two of the cruise missiles, Reuters said. Efforts are also under way to make the missile operable with the Soviet-era fighter jets Ukraine uses.

Washington has been reluctant to supply Ukraine with weapons that can strike targets deep inside Russian territory for fear of escalating the conflict. The delivery of JASSMs would add to pressure on the U.S. to drop restrictions on the use of its weaponry in the conflict, an unnamed congressional staffer told Reuters.

The U.S. is the biggest supplier of weapons, vehicles and supplies to Ukraine, including F-16s through third countries, Abrams tanks, cruise missiles and Patriot air defense systems.

Some members of Congress and political opponents have accused the Biden administration of being too slow in giving Kyiv what it needs to defeat Russia.

"What have we been waiting on?" said Hodges. "Why is the administration moving in slow motion, when it moves at all, to deliver the various capabilities to help Ukraine win the war, in time to have real effect?"

"Our immovable self-deterrence due to excessive fear of Russian escalation is going to be a stain on U.S. credibility in Europe," he added.

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.