According to Politico, the United States is considering sending medium-range missiles to Ukraine for their F-16 fighter jets as part of a new military aid package. This package, which is expected to be announced next week and worth $375 million, would be the largest amount of military aid given to Ukraine since May 2024, as reported by Reuters on September 20. The Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), a glide bomb with a range of over 70 miles, may be included in the package, according to unnamed U.S. officials. However, the contents of the package are not yet finalized and may change.
Earlier reports from Reuters stated that the U.S. would likely send patrol boats, ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), artillery shells, and spare parts as part of the new military assistance. While the JSOW has a shorter range than the U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which can travel up to 300 kilometers (190 miles), it would still allow F-16 pilots to keep a safe distance from the front lines and Russian air defense systems. This is important as Ukraine has been urging the U.S. to grant permission for their troops to use ATACMS to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.
The delivery of F-16s to Ukraine began in late July, and the country has already deployed them to intercept Russian aerial attacks. Unfortunately, one F-16 crashed during a mission, marking Ukraine’s first loss of an F-16.
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