The US presidential administration is “open” to sending Ukraine long-range missiles for F-16s, which would increase the combat power of Ukrainian fighters.
How notes Politico, White House readiness provide Ukraine with air-to-ground missiles appeared against the background of the ground Ukrainian Armed Forces operations in Kursk regionwhich is now in its second week. A final decision on whether to send the missiles has not yet been made, according to an unnamed official in the US administration, who is currently working on complex details such as verifying the transfer of sensitive technology and ensuring that Ukrainian aircraft can launch such a missile.
The publication writes that we are talking about JASSM is a high-precision cruise missile designed to destroy important, highly protected stationary and mobile targets from distances outside the range of enemy air defense systems.Thanks to such missiles, the Ukrainian Air Force will have the ability to attack enemy targets at a distance of more than 320 kilometers.
Talks are continuing at the White House and Pentagon, but an administration official warned that much work remains before missiles reach Ukraine. The first step is to ensure that Kyiv's existing Soviet-era aircraft and newly delivered F-16s can launch such a missile. The Pentagon is already working with Ukraine on these technical issues.
It is worth noting that the US very rarely shares JASSM missiles, this has only happened with a few close allies.
On August 4, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the first F-16s were already in Ukraine and showed them at a secret airfield. The fighters are being provided to Ukraine by Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Norway. Western media previously reported, citing sources, that six fighters had arrived from the Netherlands and several more would soon arrive from Denmark.
By the way, CNN reported, why the US does not allow ATACMS to strike the Kursk region. They hold this position not because of the risk of escalation, but because they have a limited number of long-range ATACMS missiles. According to US officials, the It would be more expedient to use the missiles for further strikes on Russian-occupied Crimea.
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