The U.S. Pentagon has shown support for providing AGM-158 JASSM air-to-surface cruise missiles to Ukraine.
General Christopher Cavoli, the commander of U.S. forces in Europe, recently included the missiles on a list of American weapons that could improve Ukraine's military capabilities.
This list was shared with Congress in a classified report, according to CNN.
Why JASSM Missiles Matter
The JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) is a long-range cruise missile used by U.S. forces and some NATO allies.
It has a powerful 450-kilogram warhead and can hit targets up to 980 kilometers away in its extended range version.
Ukraine has been asking the U.S. for these missiles to boost its defense against Russian forces.
The list also included the Link 16 communication system, which would help Ukrainian forces coordinate their air and missile defenses more effectively. This system allows real-time communication between military units, which is critical during combat.
Despite General Cavoli’s support, U.S. officials have some concerns.
One of the main issues is the risk that advanced technology, like the Link 16 system, could fall into Russian hands if captured. There are also worries that Ukraine’s lack of air superiority could limit the effectiveness of the air-launched JASSM missiles.
In September, Reuters reported that the U.S. was close to sending JASSM missiles to Ukraine.
This would enhance Ukraine’s ability to carry out long-range strikes against Russian forces. With JASSM missiles already in use by the U.S. and several NATO countries, Ukraine could soon gain a powerful new tool for its defense.
