Reuters: The U.S. is close to an agreement to give Ukraine AGM-158 JASSM missiles

3 September, 2024 AGM-158 JASSM. Photo from open sources The U.S. is close to an agreement to give Ukraine AGM-158 JASSM long-range cruise missiles.

Reuters reported on this. According to US officials cited by Reuters, Kyiv would need to wait several months as the U.S. works through technical issues ahead of any shipment. Three sources shared that the inclusion of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) in a weapons package is expected to be announced this autumn, though a final decision has not been made.

Polish F-16 multi-role fighter aircraft with JASSM missile. Photo credits: J.

Sabak

One American official claimed that there are efforts to integrate the missile into Soviet-era aircraft. Militarnyi previously reported on the planned delivery of AGM-158 missiles to Ukraine on August 15. At the time, the discussion also revolved around the need to address technical issues.

Those issues include reviewing the transfer of sensitive technologies and ensuring Ukraine's jets can launch the 2,400-pound missile that carries a 1,000-pound warhead. The debate surrounding the JASSM and the Biden administration's willingness to explore its transfer makes the missile the latest in a long line of sophisticated weaponry once considered off-limits for transfer to Ukraine. Some members of Congress and political opponents have accused the Biden administration of moving too slowly to give Kyiv the equipment it needs to win the war.

JASSM

The AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) is an air-launched cruise missile developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

The missile is guided by GPS, and on its final trajectory, it uses an infrared camera to find and capture the target.

JASSM-ER missile. Photo credits: US Air Force

The JASSM missiles are in service with the United States, several other NATO countries, and America's closest allies.

The weight of its warhead is 450 kg, the range of the basic version is 360 kilometers, and the ER version is 980 kilometers.