The U.S. military is studying whether it is possible to integrate advanced Western air-to-air missiles with Ukraine's Soviet-era MiG fighter aircraft.
The U.S. military is studying whether it is possible to integrate advanced Western air-to-air missiles with Ukraine's Soviet-era MiG fighter aircraft. This is the latest attempt to equip old platforms with new capabilities ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Politico reported it. If the work is successful, the United States will give Ukrainian aircraft the ability to launch air-to-air missiles for the first time.
Officials are studying whether the improved AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, designed to be launched from Western fighters such as the U.S. F-16, can be installed on existing Ukrainian MiGs.
The effort, if successful, could be part of a solution to Kyiv's need for additional firepower and air defense as both Ukraine and Russia prepare for major offensives this spring.
Last week, top U.S. generals hosted Ukrainian military officials in Wiesbaden, Germany, for a series of tabletop exercises to help Kyiv prepare for the next phase of the war.
The U.S. military believes Kyiv plans to launch an offensive in the next six to eight weeks, when it warms up, and Ukrainian forces finish practicing tactics for combined arms maneuvers in Germany. Officials are worried that Ukraine is running out of air defense capabilities as Russia continues to launch missile attacks and even sends radar-reflector traps to neutralize Ukrainian missiles.
Ukraine insists on using modern fighter jets to participate in the conflict, in particular to help with air defense, but so far, Western leaders have been reluctant to send modern aircraft such as F-16s.
The United States has already provided Kyiv with air-to-ground missiles, such as the AGM-88B HARM (high-speed anti-radar missile), which can be attached to MiGs and used against ground targets such as radars and air defense systems. The Pentagon has also sent direct-attack munitions, which turn air-launched munitions into so-called smart bombs.
However, the integration of the AIM-120 with MiGs will be the first time the United States will provide the ability to launch air-to-air missiles from aircraft.
As OBOZREVATEL reported, Great Britain is ready to send its warplanes to its allies in Europe, who, in return, can give Ukraine old fighter jets. We are talking about Soviet MiG-29s or Su-24s.
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