US nears decision to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles

The United States is nearing a deal to provide Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles capable of reaching deep into Russian territory.

However, Kyiv would have to wait several months as technical issues are resolved before any delivery can take place. The potential inclusion of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) in a future weapons package is expected to be announced this autumn, according to three sources. However, a final decision has not yet been made, and the sources requested anonymity as they are not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media. 

Providing Ukraine with JASSMs could significantly shift the strategic dynamics of the conflict by allowing Ukrainian forces to target more of Russia with highly accurate, long-range munitions. This is a critical consideration for the Biden administration, officials stated.  Military experts have noted that introducing JASSMs—stealth missiles that can reach farther than most of Ukraine's current arsenal—could force Russian supply lines and staging areas to be relocated hundreds of miles further back. This would severely hinder Russia's ability to sustain its offensive operations and could offer Ukraine a strategic edge. 

Launching these missiles from locations near Ukraine's northern border with Russia could enable strikes on military targets as far away as the Russian cities of Voronezh and Bryansk. In the south, deploying them near the front lines could make airfields or naval bases in Crimea vulnerable to attack.  With a range of around 300 kilometres, the JASSM missiles would allow Ukraine to target at least 30 airbases within Russia, some of which have been used by Russia to launch attacks.  Currently, the JASSM has only been integrated into aircraft designed by the United States. Ukraine is expected to operate several dozen F-16s, each capable of carrying two of these cruise missiles. One US official revealed that there are ongoing efforts to make the JASSM missile compatible with non-Western fighter jets currently in Ukraine's inventory—a development that has not been reported before.

The official did not specify which of Ukraine's jets could potentially be equipped with JASSMs, but Ukraine operates Soviet-era aircraft such as the MiG-29, Su-24, and Su-27. Last month, Politico reported that the Biden administration was "open" to providing Ukraine with JASSMs. As Ukraine faces increasing pressure from Russian forces on its eastern front, its demand for more powerful weaponry continues to grow. Older models of the JASSM, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N), have a range of about 230 miles (370 km). These missiles, measuring approximately 14 feet (4 metres) in length, are designed with stealth features that make them difficult to detect on radar. They can also fly at low altitudes and be programmed to follow circuitous paths to avoid air defences.