The U.S. is on the verge of finalizing a deal to provide Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles capable of reaching deep into Russian territory, but the delivery could take several months due to ongoing technical preparations, according to U.S. officials.
The upcoming weapons package is expected to include Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), with an announcement anticipated this fall. However, the decision has not yet been officially confirmed, according to three sources familiar with the matter who requested anonymity.
The potential deployment of JASSMs to Ukraine could dramatically shift the strategic dynamics of the conflict, extending Ukraine’s reach to critical Russian military targets with high-precision munitions—a concern for the Biden administration, officials noted.
Military experts believe the introduction of JASSMs, known for their stealth capabilities and extended range compared to Ukraine’s current arsenal, could force Russia to move its staging areas and supply depots hundreds of miles back. This would significantly complicate Russia’s logistics and potentially give Ukraine a critical strategic edge.
Launching these missiles from Ukraine’s northern border could allow strikes on key Russian military installations in cities like Voronezh and Bryansk. In the south, the missiles could target airfields and naval facilities in Crimea, directly impacting Russian military operations.
Currently, JASSMs are integrated with U.S.-designed aircraft, and Ukraine is set to receive several dozen F-16s capable of carrying these missiles. However, U.S. officials are exploring the possibility of adapting JASSMs for use with non-Western fighter jets in Ukraine’s existing fleet, which includes Soviet-era MiG-29, Su-24, and Su-27 jets.
The Biden administration has previously expressed openness to providing JASSMs to Ukraine, as reported by Politico. With Ukraine under increasing pressure from Russian forces on its eastern front, the demand for more advanced and powerful weaponry has grown.
Older JASSM models, produced by Lockheed Martin, have a range of about 230 miles (370 km) and feature stealth characteristics that make them difficult to detect on radar. These missiles can fly low and follow circuitous routes to avoid air defenses. There is also a longer-range variant that can exceed 500 miles, though it remains unclear which version the U.S. plans to supply.
If the U.S. does agree to send JASSMs, it may also face pressure to lift restrictions on their use, particularly regarding targets within Russia. The effectiveness of these missiles could be limited if Ukraine is not allowed to strike key targets inside Russian territory, as noted by a congressional staffer familiar with the discussions.
The U.S. has previously hesitated to supply weapons capable of striking deep within Russia, fearing it could escalate the conflict and potentially draw NATO into the war or provoke a nuclear response. Kyiv’s allies have provided arms but with conditions on their use to prevent such escalation.
Each JASSM carries a 1,000-pound warhead, but unlike the Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles provided by Britain and France, it is not specifically designed to penetrate hardened bunkers. The latest versions of these missiles cost approximately $1 million each.
Guided by a combination of GPS and inertial navigation systems, the JASSM can zero in on its target with an infrared imaging seeker, offering accuracy within about 10 feet (3 meters). Although older models may be more vulnerable to electronic warfare, their infrared seekers provide an added layer of precision, even in heavily jammed environments, according to George William Herbert of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
“While JASSMs are quite stealthy, they aren’t optimized for maximum stealth,” Herbert noted. “In past operations, such as those in Syria, Russian air defenses struggled to intercept them, likely failing to down any. Carefully planned flight paths should make JASSMs highly effective in the current conflict.”
This move could mark a significant escalation in the U.S. support for Ukraine, potentially altering the trajectory of the ongoing war.