US considers installing modern Western missiles on Ukrainian MiGs – Politico

Politico writes about it.

According to the publication, officials are studying whether Ukrainian MiGs can be fitted with modern AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missiles designed to fire from Western fighter jets, such as the US-made F-16.

If the work is successful, it would be the first time the U.S. has given Ukrainian aircraft the capability to fire air-to-air missiles, some of which are already in their inventory.

Such efforts could be part of the solution to Kyiv's need for additional firepower and air defenses as both Ukraine and Russia prepare for major offensives this spring.

"We are in regular contact with Ukrainian leaders, and we’ll continue to consult closely with Ukraine on their security assistance needs — both near and longer term,” said Lt. Col. Garron Garn. “Our focus will continue to be on providing Ukraine with real combat capability to enable them to defend their country, but for operational security reasons, we won’t discuss what initiatives we may or not be undertaking in this effort."

AIM-120 AMRAAM (advanced medium-range air-to-air missile) is an American all-weather medium-range air-to-air guided missile. Missiles of this class are designed to hit air targets beyond visual range. Can be used on a wide range of targets, including drones and cruise missiles.

• Ukraine has repeatedly called on Western partners to provide it with modern fighter jets. On February 6, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, noted that Kyiv is working on obtaining the first squadron of foreign combat aircraft, and the question of aircraft model is not a matter of principle.

• On February 20, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov stated that a decision on the fighter jets provision to Ukraine could be made by the allies in the next one to two months.

• On February 21, former Prime Ministers of Great Britain, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, called to finally hand over fighter jets to Ukraine. They criticized Rishi Sunak for delaying this matter.

• Against the background of new appeals to Western countries for the provision of fighter jets, Slovakia is considering the possibility of providing Ukraine with 10 of its 11 MiG-29 aircraft.

• On March 3, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov announced that partner countries will provide Ukraine with several types of fighter jets: one of them will be the main AFU aircraft.

• On March 5, two Ukrainian pilots reportedly arrived at a US military base for training on F-16 fighter simulators. 10 more pilots may join them soon. Western fighters are significantly different from the Soviet ones, so their evaluation will show how quickly one can master modern combat aircraft.