Italy moves to acquire JASSM-ER cruise missiles

Italy is set to significantly boost its long-range strike capability with the planned purchase of AGM-158B/B-2 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles – Extended Range (JASSM-ER) from the United States. A recent U.S. State Department approval for a potential Foreign Military Sale covers up to 100 missiles plus associated equipment and support, with an estimated value of 301 million dollars.

The missiles are intended primarily for the Italian Air Force’s F-35A Lightning II fleet. With a range of around 900 km, low-observable design and a penetrating warhead, JASSM-ER will allow Italian aircraft to strike high-value, well-defended targets from well outside modern air-defence envelopes. Guidance is provided by GPS/INS and an imaging infrared seeker for the terminal phase, enabling precision engagement of fixed targets.

Italy’s choice aligns it with other European countries such as Finland, Poland, Germany and the Netherlands, which are adopting JASSM-ER for their own F-35 fleets. For NATO, the introduction of this weapon in Italian service strengthens the Alliance’s deep-strike posture on its southern flank and gives a new strategic weight to the training and presence missions regularly flown by Italian F-35s over the Mediterranean and eastern Europe.