Israel Plans Purchase of Long-range JASSM Missile to Target Houthis, Iran

Israel is nearing a deal to acquire long-range JASSM missiles from the United States, aiming to strengthen strike capabilities against Iran and Houthi positions in Yemen.

This is according to a report by the Israeli publication Globes.

The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), specifically the Extended Range (JASSM-ER) variant, has a range of over 900 kilometers. This capability allows Israeli Air Force aircraft such as the F-35, F-15, and F-16 to launch precision strikes without entering hostile airspace, reducing the risk to pilots and assets.

The JASSM missile could offer Israel a new layer of operational flexibility, bridging the gap between short-range options like the Delilah-GL and strategic assets such as the Jericho missile system. The Delilah-GL, developed domestically, has a maximum range of 180 kilometers, while the Jericho missiles are generally reserved for strategic deterrence.

This potential acquisition comes against the backdrop of expanded U.S. arms sales policies under President Donald Trump’s administration, which showed a willingness to authorize long-range weapons for allies like Israel. The deal's prospects are viewed as strong, given recent trends.

Israel has already received expanded U.S. military support. Previously, the United States approved the sale of nearly 5,000 aerial bombs and 3,000 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles for Israel’s AH-64 Apache helicopters. Additional high-precision JDAM kits for various bomb types, including the Mk.84, BLU-109, and GBU-38v1, were also cleared.

Final approval of the missile sale is pending, but defense experts believe it aligns with ongoing U.S.-Israel defense cooperation efforts.