According to Ukraine’s Joint Forces Commander Naiev, Ukraine anticipates receiving F16 fighter jets and missiles with a range of 300-500 km. In subsequent military aid packages, Ukraine hopes to acquire F16 aircraft and missiles with a range of 300-500 km from its allies.
This will enable the Ukrainian armed forces to achieve greater success on the battlefield and liberate territory from the Russia.
However, the commander didn’t provide further details about whether these missiles will be part of the F16 weapon package or separate acquisitions.
If it is part of the F16 weapon package, it is most likely to be the US-origin AGM158 JASSM. If not, it is likely to be a longer-range version of the ATACMS or Storm Shadow.
Ukraine is currently using Stormshadow/Scalp EG missiles supplied by the UK and France, which are export versions with a range of around 250 km. Additionally, they are using US-supplied ATACMS, a variant with a range of 160 km.
The Netherlands defence minister announced that the country has promised to send an additional 6 F16 jets to Ukraine, in addition to the earlier planned 18 jets. The Netherlands is preparing to send the first batch of 6 F16s to Ukraine, expected to be delivered somewhere in the first half of 2024.
Ukraine’s pursuit of JASSM
According to an earlier report by Forbes, Ukraine has requested the United States to transfer AGM158 JASSM missiles to arm its F16 jets. The AGM158 JASSM is a stealth subsonic cruise missile with a baseline version having a range of 370 km. The missile is often considered the best stealth cruise missile in the world, with unmatched stealth technologies developed by the United States.
If supplied, these missiles would enable Ukrainian F16s to launch missiles from safer distances and engage targets at longer ranges.
ATACMS or Storm Shadow
While Ukraine is currently using downgraded versions of ATACMS (160 km) and Storm Shadow/Scalp EG (250 km), the actual ranges of these missiles are 300 km and 560 km respectively.
Last month, Germany rejected Ukraine’s proposal to supply Kepd 350 Taurus stealth cruise missiles with a range of 500 km due to fears of escalation if Ukraine were to strike deep inside Russian territory and Crimea.
Amid Germany’s rejection, the UK reportedly proposed to Germany to provide these missiles to the UK, as the UK plans to send more Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine. These Taurus missiles are intended to fill the gap in the UK’s arsenal.
With Ukraine currently operating downgraded versions of ATACMS and Storm Shadow, there is a possibility that Ukraine may receive full-fledged versions of these missiles in the future.
If a Ukrainian commander’s statement indicates the missile as part of the F16’s weapons package, it is more likely to be AGM158 JASSM. If not, it is likely to be a longer-range version of ATACMS or Storm Shadow.
Expansion of Ukraine’s fighter jets and missiles
While the Ukrainian Air Force, with Soviet-era jets, is struggling to face the superior Russian Air Force, Ukraine’s acquisition of F16 jets will improve Ukrainian resistance against the rival.
In addition to air superiority, these F16 jets are likely to pose serious challenges to the Russian military in various aspects. Cluster bombs carried by F16 jets would allow Ukraine to destroy incoming enemy ground formations. Ukraine has also requested the US to arm its F16s with Harpoon anti-ship cruise missiles, with a range of 220 km. Harpoon missiles enable Ukraine to target any warship in the Black Sea, leveraging the fighter jets’ ability to travel hundreds of kilometres before launching missiles.
Conclusion
While Ukraine is set to receive the much-hyped F16s in the next few months, the latest announcement by the Ukrainian Commander indicates the expansion of Ukraine’s missile arsenal along with these jets.
