The U.S. is considering whether to mount the AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile, which is mounted on Western fighter jets such as the F-16, on Ukrainian fighter jets.
On the 7th (local time), the US Politico quoted officials from the Ministry of Defense and reported this. If this aid plan actually goes ahead, it will be the first time the United States has provided air-to-air missiles to Ukrainian fighter jets.
Politico reported that the aid, if successful, could be one of the measures to strengthen the Ukrainian military ahead of full-scale clashes between the two sides in the spring.
U.S. officials said they expect Ukrainian forces to launch an offensive in the next six to eight weeks, once the weather warms up after completing combined arms maneuvering tactics training in Germany.
The U.S. military is concerned that Ukraine’s air defenses are weakening as Russia continues missile strikes and sends radar reflector balloons (fake missiles) aimed at depleting Ukraine’s missile stockpiles.
The AIM-120 support this time seems to have been chosen by the US military instead of direct support for fighter jets such as the F-16.
Politico explained that there is still little movement among Western countries to send fighter jets like the F-16, and officials from Western countries are looking for more creative solutions such as this support. At the same time, he also mentioned that the United States has already provided AGM-88B air-to-surface missiles that can be attached to the Ukrainian military fighter jet, the MiG.
However, it is said that it is quite difficult to mount the AIM-120 on the old Soviet-made MiG.
This is because the missile must be able to exchange information with fighter radar as well as being physically mounted. In particular, Politico reported that the biggest problem is that communication between missiles and fighters is difficult because the systems of the United States and the former Soviet Union are so different.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.