The administration of US President Joe Biden is "open" to providing Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles , which will give Ukrainian F-16 fighters more combat power. This was written by Politico, reported by UNN.
Details
The publication emphasizes that the White House's readiness to provide Ukraine with air-to-surface missiles came against the backdrop of the Armed Forces' ground operation in the Kursk region of Russia, which has been going on for two weeks.
The final decision to send the missile has not yet been made, but according to one of the Biden administration officials, they are currently working on the complex details.
This includes verifying the transfer of sensitive technology and ensuring that Ukrainian aircraft can launch a 2,400-pound (1,088 kg) missile carrying a 1,000-pound (453 kg) warhead.
The Pentagon declined to comment on whether it approved the missile transfer.
We are considering a number of options to meet Ukraine's security assistance needs, but we do not have any information
It is noted that the debate over the JASSM and the Biden administration's willingness to consider its transfer make this missile the latest in a long line of modern weapons that were once considered prohibited for transfer to Ukraine.
Politico also points out that this decision comes in the last months of Joe Biden's presidency, after which the level of US support for Ukraine will become less clear.
The journalists add that the air-launched missiles will give the Ukrainian air force the ability to launch cruise missiles at a distance of more than 320 km from a fourth-generation fighter jet.
According to two sources, the Pentagon is already working with Ukraine on these technical issues.
Addendum
The JASSM system, developed by Lockheed Martin and first put into operation in the early 2000s, was provided only to a few close allies.
According to the Pentagon, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 4,100 JASSMs in various configurations to the US Air Force and allies, and a new production line in Alabama is producing about 45 missiles a month to reach a target stockpile of 7,200 missiles.
The publication emphasizes that the delivery of the JASSM will give Kyiv the most powerful and long-range weapon in the arsenal of its air force.
For reference
The AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) is an air-launched cruise missile developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
The JASSM missiles are in service with the United States and several other NATO countries and America's closest allies.
The weight of its warhead is 450 kg, the range of the basic version is 360 kilometers, and the ER version is 980 kilometers.
Recall
National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator at the White House John Kirby said that the United States will provide Ukraine with additional security assistance packages in the coming days.