US Weighs Providing Ukraine with Long-Range Cruise Missiles, Raising Concerns AboutUS Military Readiness
Washington, D.C. – The United States isreportedly on the verge of supplying Ukraine with Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), a powerful long-range, stealthy cruisemissile capable of striking targets deep inside Russia. While this move could significantly alter the battlefield dynamics, it has sparked concerns within the US military about potential repercussions for itsown readiness in the face of a potential conflict with China or Russia.
Sources familiar with the matter have revealed that the US is expected to announce the inclusion of JASSM missiles in its military aid package to Ukraine this fall, although afinal decision has not yet been made. American officials believe that providing these missiles would give Ukraine a significant strategic advantage, as they could target Russian military facilities and logistics hubs hundreds of kilometers behind the front lines.
The JASSM, developedby Lockheed Martin, is a highly sophisticated weapon with a range of up to 900 kilometers. Its stealth capabilities and advanced guidance system allow it to evade enemy air defenses and strike targets with pinpoint accuracy. The missile’s range surpasses that of most weapons currently in Ukraine’s arsenal, potentially forcing Russia to relocateits military deployments and supply depots further back from the border.
Ukraine having JASSM means Russia has to deal with a sophisticated stand-off weapon that can be supplied almost without limit and can penetrate Russia’s most powerful defenses. This will be a big problem for Russia, stated a report by the US-based website The Drive.
The JASSM’s potential impact on the conflict extends beyond its range. The missile’s advanced guidance system and powerful warhead pose a serious threat to critical infrastructure in Crimea, as well as key Russian military concentrations, ammunition depots, command facilities, and training centers behind the frontlines. In urgent situations, the missile can also be used to target time-sensitive targets.
The potential for the JASSM to inflict significant damage on Russian forces far surpasses the capabilities of the long-range drones currently employed by Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia. While the US has previously authorized Ukraine to useless advanced weapons, such as the HIMARS rocket system, for counter-battery strikes across the border, providing JASSM missiles would mark a significant shift in US policy.
This shift, however, has raised concerns within the US military. The Drive highlighted that the JASSM is considered a crucial stand-off weapon in the US military’s plans for potential conflicts with China or Russia. For example, the US Air Force has boasted that just five B-1B bombers armed with 180 LRASM missiles (an anti-ship variant of the JASSM) could cripple a Chinese carrier group, evenif 95% of the missiles were intercepted.
However, a study by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, a US Air Force think tank, concluded that in a high-intensity conflict against a peer adversary like China or Russia, the US’s estimated 6,500 JASSM-seriesmissiles, including the more advanced AGM-158B JASSM-ER and AGM-158C LRASM, would be depleted within 8.5 days.
The Drive expressed concerns that supplying Ukraine with a large number of JASSM missiles could severely impact US military readiness. Additionally, the US military is worried about the potential for JASSM wreckage, or even intact missiles, to fall into Russian hands during strikes against targets inside Russia. This could provide Russia with valuable insights into the performance and characteristics of this key US cruise missile, potentially undermining its effectiveness in future conflicts.
The potential consequences ofproviding Ukraine with JASSM missiles are complex and far-reaching. While the move could significantly bolster Ukraine’s capabilities and potentially shift the balance of power in the conflict, it also raises concerns about the potential impact on US military readiness and the risks associated with revealing sensitive military technology to a potential adversary. The US governmentwill need to carefully weigh these factors as it makes a decision on whether to provide Ukraine with this powerful weapon.
Views: 0