U.S. President Joe Biden is reportedly considering the possibility of supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles, according to a report by Politico.
According to sources within the Biden administration, Politico reported on Thursday that there is a possibility of sending long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine. This move could potentially enhance the combat capacity of previously transferred F-16 jets in its ongoing battle with Russia, showcasing an openness from The White House towards this plan.
Sources, who chose to remain anonymous, informed the outlet that a definite conclusion has not been reached concerning sending the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), however, meticulous considerations are currently being undertaken by the Pentagon. These include scrutinizing sensitive technology transfer and verifying if Ukraine’s aircrafts possess capabilities to deploy this 2,400-pound missile containing a warhead weighing 1,000 pounds.
According to the report, Lockheed Martin has only divulged the JASSM to a select few of their closest allies.
Jeff Jurgensen, Pentagon spokesperson, stated to the media outlet that various options are being considered in order to fulfill Ukraine’s security assistance needs but did not confirm if any transfer had been authorized.
Politico reported that the JASSM missiles are part of a category of advanced weapons systems which were previously forbidden for Ukraine to obtain. This range also contained items such as F-16s, Patriot air defense systems and Abrams tanks themselves.
Ukraine has air- and ground-launched missiles from the US, UK, and France that can cover a distance of almost 200 miles. However, Ukraine has been urging for months to procure JASSM missiles from the US.
Numerous Western countries have promised to supply Ukraine with over 80 F-16 aircraft. Ukrainian President, Vladimir Zelensky announced that the initial group of American-manufactured planes had recently been delivered and were already being operated by Ukrainian pilots.
According to Politico, Joint Chiefs Chair Charles Q. Brown stated that obtaining the F-16 airplanes is not just about acquiring them but also ensuring proper training for pilots and maintainers, as well as securing appropriate weapons. The focus is on achieving full capability with both the aircrafts and their accompanying components through ongoing discussions.
Although Zelensky acknowledged that Ukraine lacks the necessary number of pilots to operate all Western-donated jets, he claimed that “several individuals are presently undergoing training.”
Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, cautioned that any military installation accommodating Ukrainian F-16s would be considered a legitimate objective for Russian forces. In addition to this warning from Putin, officials at the Kremlin have stated unequivocally that an infusion of Western weaponry will not assure victory for Ukraine in their ongoing conflict with Russia.
