Originally Posted by
ORAC
Block 3 (latest variant) has an estimated (actual is classified) 150km mile range.
The Russian stand-off missiles targeting Ukraine have ranges from 300 - 6000km.
Aster is a high-value target, point and area defence weapon.
As Xhorst points out in post #15278, the Russian launch platforms are well out of harms way when their missiles are released. Which leaves the Ukraine defences only able to take down the incoming missiles in-flight.
To push back the stand-off launch distances (and hence limit the use of their offensive missiles to kh-101 and kh-47 class) then CAP with AMRAAM and BVRAAM is required. Also air launched anti-ship sorties to keep the subs and missile frigates further back. Taking out aircraft from within the Belarus and Russian borders will be an escalation. Without air superiority and supremacy, this also leaves the CAP aircraft vulnerable to SAM and long-range R-77 air-to-air attack.
The UAF presently has limited stocks of the R-27 missile and probably none of the more modern medium range variants.
Hence the mooted requirement to integrate AIM-120 onto MiG 29 and also discussed supply of the Swedish Gripen with the MBDA Meteor BVRAAM capability. Long way off if ever.