The Biden administration is considering the opportunity to provide Ukraine with long-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) cruise missiles, which would give Ukrainian F-16s significantly greater range and firepower, writes "Politico".
The decision comes amid Ukraine's successful push deep into Russian territory, prompting Vladimir Putin to redeploy troops. Although there is no final decision, the issue is already being seriously considered, discussing technical and logistical issues related to the integration of the missiles with Ukrainian aircraft.
JASSM missiles, developed by Lockheed Martin, are in limited use by the US and are shared with only a few close allies. These missiles would provide Ukraine with the ability to strike at a distance of more than 370 kilometers, which would significantly expand the combat capacity of the Ukrainian Air Force. However, the main problem remains the technical integration of these missiles with Ukrainian aircraft, which is currently being discussed by Pentagon experts.
Such assistance could significantly influence the development of the conflict, increasing pressure on Russian forces and providing Ukraine with greater strategic maneuverability. However, the process of integration and training of Ukrainian pilots and technicians will take time before these missiles can be used on the battlefield.
As President Biden's term nears its end, the extent of US support for Ukraine remains uncertain, especially if Donald Trump returns to power. The decision to provide JASSM is part of a broader US strategy to bolster Ukraine's combat power as long as there is political support for doing so.
Currently, Ukraine has the British Storm Shadow missiles and their French analogue SCALP, which have a range of about 250 km, and the American ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 300 km. These missiles allow Ukraine to attack targets in the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula. However, Western countries still do not allow Ukraine to strike with them on sovereign Russian territories.