Why Denmark's new JASSM-ER missiles could transform its F-35 combat power

Denmark to arm F-35s with long-range JASSM-ER missiles amid Russia concerns The US Department of State has approved the potential sale of 200 AGM-158B/B-2 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles-Extended Range (JASSM-ER) to Denmark. The deal, valued at approximately $842 million, includes the missiles and related equipment.According to the US Department of State, the sale will enhance Denmark's ability to address current and future threats by providing the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) with long-range precision strike capabilities, further strengthening the operational capabilities of its F-35 fighter fleet. Lockheed Martin will be the principal contractor for the sale.Denmark is in the process of replacing its ageing fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons with F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. The country is one of the original international partners in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme and has ordered 43 aircraft.Denmark occupies a strategic position in northern Europe and controls access to the Baltic Sea through the Danish Straits. Its security concerns are increasingly shaped by Russia's growing military activity in northern Europe and the Arctic region.Danish officials have also pointed to increasingly aggressive Russian behaviour in the Baltic Sea. AGM-158B JASSM-ER missile - A range of more than 900 km and subsonic flight speed. - A stealthy design that reduces detection by enemy radar systems - A 1,000-pound (450 kg) penetrating warhead capable of destroying hardened and fortified targets. - Guidance through a combination of inertial navigation, GPS and an imaging infrared seeker. - A turbofan engine for propulsion. - Compatibility with a wide range of combat aircraft, including the F-35, F-16 and F-15E fighters, as well as B-1B, B-2 and B-52 bombers. End of Article