The US military has compiled a list of defense systems it considers essential for Ukraine’s fight against Russia but that have yet to be provided to the war-torn nation. The list, prepared by United States European Command head Gen. Chris Cavoli and obtained by CNN, includes Lockheed Martin’s Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), which can be launched from F-16 fighter jets. Equipped with a 1,000-pound (453-kilogram) blast fragmentation warhead, the missile can strike targets over 230 miles (370 kilometers) away. Also on the list is Link 16, a tactical data-sharing network that enables seamless communication between battlefield systems. The tech is in service with the US military and NATO and could be particularly useful for Ukraine’s air and missile defense. The list was submitted to the US Congress as part of a classified report.
Concerns have been raised as Cavoli’s report did not disclose why these critical weapons are still not in the hands of Ukrainian warfighters despite repeated requests from Kyiv. Some US officials have expressed concerns about sending sensitive technology to Ukraine, fearing it could fall into enemy hands. The effectiveness of the JASSM, in particular, is questioned without Ukraine first achieving air superiority. Russia has a track record of reverse-engineering captured defense technologies, with recent claims of obtaining key components for study purposes. In a recent video message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies to supply significantly larger quantities of weapons to match Russia’s firepower and noted the urgent need for military weapons and equipment for troops on the frontline. Zelensky also reiterated his plea for long-range weapons and greater freedom to use them inside enemy territory, as currently, the US only permits Kyiv to use its donated weapons for strikes in Russian-controlled Ukrainian regions.
