The United States is studying whether AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missiles can be installed on MiG aircraft used by Ukraine.

This was reported by Politico with reference to its own sources.

"If successful, these efforts could become part of the solution to Kyiv's needs for additional firepower and air defense as both Ukraine and Russia prepare for major offensives this spring," the report said.

Washington is concerned that Ukraine lacks air defenses as Russia continues missile attacks and even sends decoy balloons with radar reflectors to deplete Ukraine's missile stockpiles.

According to the publication, the US has already provided Kyiv with air-to-surface missiles, such as the AGM-88B high-speed anti-radiation missile, which can be attached to MiGs and used against ground targets, such as radars and air defense systems.

The Pentagon also sent the Joint Direct Attack Munition, which turns aviation munitions into guided ("smart") bombs.

However, the integration of the AIM-120 with the MiGs will mark the first time the US will be able to fire air-to-air missiles from aircraft.

However, the integration process is creating difficulties, one Pentagon official and another person with direct knowledge of the process told the publication.

"The missile must not only be physically mounted on the aircraft, but also "communicate" with the aircraft's radar. To fire, the aircraft's radar first indicates the target to the missile and guides the missile until it is close enough to find the target on its own," he notes. publication source.

The main problem is that the American and Soviet systems are so different that the missile and the plane cannot "communicate with each other".

Earlier, Reuters reported that Ukraine is asking the US for cluster munitions to stop the "human waves" of the occupiers.

These are MK-20 bombs and DPICM artillery shells.

We will remind that the USA provided Ukraine with a package of military aid worth 400 million dollars.

It includes additional ammunition for HIMARS, artillery shells, ammunition for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and more.

The States also provide more than 10 billion US dollars in budgetary support to the government of Ukraine

Read also:

  • Ukraine news

  • War in Ukraine

  • News of Ukraine: video

Subscribe to our

Telegram

 and

Viber

channels .