U.S. Weighs Long-Range Missile Delivery to Ukraine: A Game-Changer in Kyiv's Arsenal?
The Biden administration is considering the possibility of sending long-range cruise missiles, specifically the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), to Ukraine. This move would significantly enhance the combat capabilities of Kyiv’s F-16 fighter jets, offering greater range and impact as Ukraine continues its military efforts against Russia.
Although no final decision has been made, the administration is currently addressing the complex issues involved in transferring such advanced technology. These include ensuring that Ukraine’s jets, both Soviet-era and the newly delivered F-16s, can effectively launch the 2,400-pound missile with its 1,000-pound warhead. The Pentagon has declined to comment on the potential transfer, with spokesperson Jeff Jurgensen stating that various options are being considered to meet Ukraine’s security needs.
This debate marks the latest chapter in the ongoing discussion over supplying Ukraine with sophisticated weaponry, a topic that has seen significant developments over the past 30 months of conflict. The U.S. has already provided F-16s, Abrams tanks, Patriot air defenses, and other advanced military equipment, transforming Ukraine’s military into one of Europe’s more formidable forces. However, some critics argue that the Biden administration has been too slow in delivering the necessary equipment to ensure Ukraine's success.
The potential transfer of JASSMs comes as President Joe Biden approaches the final months of his term, with future U.S. support for Ukraine uncertain, particularly if former President Donald Trump were to regain office. The JASSMs would give Ukraine’s air force a capability possessed by only a few other nations: the ability to launch a cruise missile from a U.S.-made fourth-generation fighter plane, with a range of over 200 miles.
Currently, the U.S. and its allies have imposed restrictions on Ukraine’s use of supplied weapons inside Russia, allowing their use only in cases of self-defense and near the border. These restrictions have frustrated Ukrainian officials, especially as Russia continues to launch attacks from within its borders, causing civilian casualties. Ukrainian leaders have been pushing for the U.S. to loosen these restrictions and to supply the JASSM, with their efforts gaining momentum after a delegation of Ukrainian parliamentarians visited Washington in July.
Several countries, including Poland, Australia, and Finland, already possess the JASSM, while others like Japan and the Netherlands have recently signed agreements to acquire the missiles. The U.S. has delivered over 4,100 JASSMs in various configurations, with production continuing at a facility in Alabama to meet a stockpile goal of 7,200 missiles.
The introduction of JASSMs to Ukraine’s arsenal would significantly increase the range and effectiveness of its air force. Although the U.S. has already committed to sending various air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions for Ukraine’s F-16s, the JASSM would be the most powerful and longest-range weapon available to them.
A group of U.S. lawmakers supportive of Ukraine has been advocating for the relaxation of restrictions on Kyiv’s ability to use U.S.-supplied weapons against Russian targets. They argue that the U.S. should capitalize on the momentum following Ukraine’s recent incursion into Russian territory. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who recently returned from Kyiv, highlighted the need for additional weapon systems to counter the escalating Russian aerial attacks. While Pentagon officials have acknowledged the importance of equipping Ukraine’s F-16s with the necessary weaponry, discussions are ongoing within the Defense Department and with allied nations on how best to achieve this.