The United States is close to an agreement to provide Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles that could reach deep into Russia, but Kyiv will have to wait several months as the United States works through technical issues before delivery, said U.S. officials.
The inclusion of joint air-to-surface standoff missiles (JASSM) in the weapons package is expected to be announced this autumn, three sources told Reuters news agency, although no final decision has been made. The sources declined to be named.
Sending JASSMs to Ukraine could significantly alter the strategic balance of the conflict by putting more of Russia within range of precision munitions — a major concern for the Biden administration.
Military analysts say JASSMs, which are stealthy and can strike further than most other missiles currently in Ukraine’s inventory, could push Russian staging areas and supply depots hundreds of miles back.
The JASSM has so far only been installed in U.S.-designed aircraft. Ukraine will eventually operate dozens of F-16s, each capable of carrying two cruise missiles.
One U.S. official said that efforts were underway to make the missile compatible with non-Western fighters in Ukraine’s inventory, which had not been previously reported. Although the official did not provide further details on what aircraft currently in Ukraine the JASSM can be used with, Ukraine operates Soviet-era MiG-29, Su-24 and Su-27 aircraft, so these may be an option.
Politico had only reported last month that the Biden administration was “open” to providing JASSMs to Ukraine. However, recent reports suggest that Ukraine is getting closer to actually receiving the weapons.
Besides the United States, which produces the missiles, only three other countries have them in service currently: Australia, Finland and Poland. The missiles have a 451-kilogram (1,000-pound) payload and a range of 370 kilometers, while their guidance systems are rated to strike within 10 feet (3 meters) of a target.
