Trump considers giving Ukraine long-range JASSM missiles – media
14 July 21:22
U.S. President Donald Trump, who returned to office after the election, is considering the possibility of transferring high-precision cruise missiles JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) to Ukraine. This was reported by Military Watch Magazine , citing its own sources in Washington, D.C., "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
What is known
According to the publication, the Trump administration is studying the issue of supplying long-range missiles capable of hitting targets deep into Russia’s territory, in particular outside the zone of active hostilities. One of the options for such weapons is the JASSM, a missile that can be launched from American fighters, including F-16s, which are already being prepared for delivery to Ukraine.
If approved, the missiles are expected to increase the range of strike capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force, allowing it to hit key Russian military targets, including headquarters, ammunition depots, anti-aircraft installations, or airfields, without entering enemy air defense zones.
What is JASSM?
TheJASSM is an American air-launched precision cruise missile with low radar visibility developed by Lockheed Martin Corporation. It is designed to engage strategically important ground targets deep behind enemy lines.
Main characteristics:
- Range:
- Standard version: up to 370 km
- JASSM-ER (Extended Range) version: over 900 km
- Carriers: F-16, F-15E, F/A-18, B-1B, B-2, B-52 and other NATO aircraft.
- Guidance system: a combination of GPS, inertial navigation and an infrared sensor that allows for high accuracy in hitting targets even in difficult weather conditions.
- Special features: the missile flies at low altitude, bypasses air defense systems and has a stealthy body.
The JASSM has been in use since the early 2000s and has already been deployed in combat, including during US operations in the Middle East. In the 2020s, the Pentagon is also actively arming NATO and allied countries with JASSMs.
Rumors of a possible transfer of the JASSM to Ukraine have appeared before, in particular, in the summer of 2024, when Joe Biden was president of the United States. But then the United States limited itself to providing ATACMS and GLSDB missiles, avoiding the transfer of systems with a range of more than 300 km in order not to provoke Russia to escalate.
The current discussion in Washington may indicate a change in the approach to deterring Russia, particularly in the context of the Trump administration’s new political course.
