US starts delivery of advanced AGM-88E missiles to Ukraine to boost precision strikes against Russian air defense.

According to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal and highlighted by OSINTtechnical on November 9, 2024, the United States has begun supplying Ukraine with AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM). This move strengthens Ukraine's capability to neutralize Russian air defense systems amid an ongoing conflict characterized by electronic warfare and advanced missile deployments.
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U.S. Navy Airman assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 140 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, loaded an AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile on an EA-18G Growler fighter aircraft.(Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The delivery of AGM-88E AARGMs follows the initial supply of AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs) to Ukraine in mid-2022. This initial transfer was kept confidential until early August 2022, when Russian forces displayed footage showing a tail fin from one of these missiles, confirming their use in Ukraine’s defense. Following this reveal, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl confirmed that recent aid packages had indeed included anti-radiation missiles adapted for use by Ukrainian aircraft. Now, Ukraine has received an advanced version of the AGM-88E AARGM, providing a more sophisticated tool for the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) operations.

The AGM-88E AARGM is a highly advanced air-to-surface missile known for its precision and speed. It is designed to allow pilots to locate, track, and destroy enemy radar installations and surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites effectively. While the AGM-88 HARM uses a passive radar seeker to detect and home in on radar signals, the AGM-88E AARGM includes a multi-mode seeker that combines an advanced passive radar detection system with a millimeter-wave radar for terminal guidance. This feature allows the AGM-88E to track targets more accurately, even if enemy radar systems are deactivated mid-flight, giving it a significant edge over its predecessor. This advancement enhances the missile’s ability to locate and neutralize high-value air defense systems, further improving its impact in SEAD missions.

For Ukraine, which has integrated Western weaponry with its Soviet-era aircraft, the AGM-88E AARGM offers a substantial tactical advantage. Ukrainian pilots have previously adapted AGM-88 HARMs for use on their MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets, employing creative solutions like iPads to overcome compatibility challenges. These missiles have enabled Ukraine to conduct “Wild Weasel” missions—operations designed to provoke, locate, and eliminate enemy air defenses. With the AGM-88E, Ukrainian forces gain a higher level of precision and reliability, better equipping them to counter Russian SAM (Surface-to-Air) systems, including advanced S-300 and S-400 air defense missile systems.

By targeting and neutralizing radar-guided air defenses, the AGM-88E enhances Ukraine’s SEAD capabilities, providing safer operating conditions for Ukrainian pilots. This may enable Ukrainian forces to penetrate deeper into contested airspace with reduced risk of engagement from Russian SAMs, potentially allowing for more effective close-air support missions and improved freedom of movement over strategically critical areas. At a broader level, deploying the AGM-88E could shift the air superiority balance in contested zones, diminishing Russia’s defensive advantages and bolstering Ukraine’s overall defense and counter-offensive capabilities.

The introduction of AGM-88E missiles is a powerful testament to the ongoing U.S. and allied support for Ukraine. It underscores a commitment to providing advanced military technology to counteract evolving threats, helping Ukraine address complex air defense challenges that Russian forces pose more effectively. As Ukraine continues integrating sophisticated Western systems, these capabilities are expected to make a tangible impact on the battlefield, reinforcing Ukraine’s resilience and operational effectiveness in the face of sustained conflict.