According to a Reuters report citing US officials, the United States is nearing an agreement to provide Ukraine with the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) that could dramatically enhance the strike capabilities of Ukrainian F-16 Fighting Falcons.
The report also disclosed that one key aspect of the potential deal is the US effort to adapt the JASSM for use with Ukraine’s Soviet-era aircraft.
The anticipated announcement regarding the inclusion of JASSMs in the upcoming weapons package is expected to be made this autumn.
However, a final decision has yet to be made. If approved, the delivery of these missiles may be delayed by several months as the US addresses technical issues associated with their integration and operational compatibility.
This news follows reports from earlier this year when Ukrainian officials revealed plans to receive a type of air-launched cruise missile with a range of up to 300 miles for their F-16s.
While the specifics of this missile were not disclosed at the time, the JASSM’s advanced capabilities align with the type of weaponry Ukraine is seeking to enhance its military effectiveness.
Currently, the JASSM is integrated solely into US-designed aircraft, with Poland also utilizing the missile on more modern F-16 variants.
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Ukrainian F-16s, which are of the F-16 AM/BM standard and have undergone the Mid-Life Update (MLU) program, will be capable of carrying up to two JASSMs per aircraft.
Although these jets are not yet equipped with JASSM technology, they may be able to adopt the necessary software or hardware updates to use these missiles.
The report, citing a US official, also disclosed efforts to modify the JASSM missile for use with non-Western fighter jets in Ukraine’s inventory, a development that has not been previously reported.
Although the official did not specify which Ukrainian aircraft could be equipped with the missile, it is known that Ukraine operates a range of Soviet-era jets. These include the MiG-29, Su-24, and Su-27.
This adaptation effort is aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of these older aircraft by integrating advanced missile technology.
A Game-Changer for Ukraine?
The potential integration of the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) into Ukraine’s military aircraft is poised to significantly shift the strategic balance in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
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Experts believe that the introduction of JASSMs—known for their stealth and extended range compared to most existing Ukrainian munitions—could force a substantial repositioning of Russian military assets.
These missiles could potentially push Russian staging areas and supply depots hundreds of miles back, altering the conflict’s operational dynamics.
With a range capable of reaching up to 300 kilometers into Russian territory, JASSMs could target critical installations, including at least 30 airbases, some of which have been pivotal in launching Russian attacks.
This would likely complicate Russia’s capacity to sustain its offensive operations and could potentially afford Ukraine a significant strategic advantage.
If deployed from positions near Ukraine’s northern border with Russia, JASSMs could strike targets as far away as the Russian cities of Voronezh and Bryansk.
In southern Ukraine, launching them close to the front lines could enable strikes on crucial airfields or naval facilities in Crimea, thereby extending the reach of Ukrainian forces and impacting Russian logistical and operational capabilities.
The JASSM is equipped with an advanced inertial navigation system (INS) that guides it to its target with precision. Designed to operate effectively in degraded GPS environments—a scenario highly relevant given Russia’s extensive GPS jamming in Ukraine—this missile offers a tactical edge in electronic warfare conditions.
The older version of JASSMs boasts a range of approximately 370 kilometers (230 miles). These missiles, measuring about 4 meters (14 feet) in length, feature a degree of stealth that makes them difficult to detect on radar. They are capable of flying at low altitudes and can be programmed to follow evasive paths to avoid air defenses.
The AGM-158B JASSM-ER variant has the capability to deliver a warhead at distances of up to 575 miles, whereas the longer-range AGM-158B-2 can reach targets up to 1,200 miles away.
Nicholas Drummond, a former British Army infantry officer and defense industry analyst, expressed surprise at the current situation given the ongoing controversy over supplying Ukraine with missiles capable of hitting targets inside Russia.
He said, “The stealthy AGM-158 JASSM has a 575-mile range (not 230 miles) and a 450 kg warhead. The longer-range AGM-158B-2 reaches 1,200 miles and has a 900 kg warhead.”
Drummond noted that while deploying a few hundred of these missiles from Ukraine’s F-16s might not significantly alter the course of the war, “they’ll make life very uncomfortable for anyone on the receiving end.”
While it is unclear which version of the missile the US is considering supplying, opting for the shorter-range model would mitigate strain on US stockpiles while still delivering considerable operational benefits.
Each JASSM is equipped with a substantial 1,000-pound warhead. However, unlike the Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles provided to Kyiv by Britain and France, JASSMs are not specifically designed for penetrating hardened bunkers.
Should the US proceed with supplying JASSMs to Ukraine, a key question would be whether these missiles would be permitted to target locations within Russia’s borders.
This consideration is heightened by recent Ukrainian advances into Russia’s Kursk region, underscoring the complex strategic decisions that lie ahead.
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