US Ready to Send Ukraine Long-Range Cruise Missiles for F-16s
US President Biden's administration is ‘open’ to providing Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles, which would give Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets more combat power, Politico reports.
The information about the White House's readiness to provide Ukraine with air-to-surface missiles came amid the Armed Forces' ground operation in the Kursk region of Russia, which has been going on for two weeks.
While no final decision has been made to send the missiles, according to one US presidential administration official, they are currently working on details that include verifying the transfer of sensitive technology and ensuring that Ukrainian aircraft can launch such a missile.
As noted, the missile in question is the JASSM, a precision-guided cruise missile designed to engage important, highly protected fixed and moving targets from distances beyond the range of enemy air defences.
With these missiles, the Ukrainian Air Force will be able to attack hostile Russian targets at a distance of over 320 kilometres.
While negotiations continue in the White House and the Pentagon, an administration official warned that there is still much work to be done before any missiles reach Ukraine. The Pentagon is already working with Ukraine on technical issues to make sure that Kyiv's existing Soviet-era aircraft and recently delivered F-16s can launch such a missile, according to two of the sources.
The United States has rarely shared JASSM missiles before, with only a few close allies.
As you know, F-16s are provided to Ukraine by Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Norway.