Ukraine develops own weapon for strikes against Russia

Daily, Russian aircraft launch up to a hundred KAB glide bombs at Ukrainian military positions and urban areas.

These bombs, which can weigh up to three tons and have a range of 25 miles, are among the most destructive weapons in Russia's extensive 30-month conflict with Ukraine. They have played a key role in Russia's recent progress in eastern Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

In response, Ukraine is preparing to counter with its own glide bombs. A recent video from the Ukrainian Air Force shows a Sukhoi Su-27 fighter capturing footage of a Sukhoi Su-24 bomber equipped with a prototype gliding munition beneath its wing. Ukrainian forces are not only utilizing American-made JDAM-ER and French-made Hammer glide bombs but are also focusing on developing their own domestically produced munitions. In June, Brigadier General Serhii Holubotsov announced that the Ukrainian Air Force was working on a new glide and guidance kit designed to convert Soviet-era unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions.

The recent test flight of this prototype on a Su-24 bomber represents a significant milestone in its development.   The new bomb, featuring wings and a tail-mounted rocket booster, resembles the French Hammer in its design and functionality. It’s possible that the Ukrainian design is inspired by the Hammer, which achieves a range of up to 40 miles through a solid-fueled rocket boost.   The Ukrainian Air Force seems satisfied with the Hammer’s range and accuracy but has expressed dissatisfaction with the limited supply, as France has committed to delivering only 50 Hammers per month.

This is insufficient compared to the roughly 3,000 KAB bombs dropped by Russian forces along the 700-mile front line each month, even with the additional JDAM-ERs supplied by the United States.   If Ukraine can ramp up local production of these new glide bombs, it could begin to counter Russia’s glide-bombing strategy more effectively.

This new munitions effort adds to Ukraine's expanding arsenal of domestically produced weaponry, which includes the Neptune cruise missile, the Palianytsia “missile drone,” and several types of one-way attack drones, including pilotless sport planes capable of traveling a thousand miles with an explosive payload.  

By developing its own precision munitions, Ukraine aims to reduce its dependence on unpredictable allies for critical military supplies. This approach also allows Ukraine to bypass restrictions imposed by its allies on the use of foreign-made munitions, such as the US prohibition on targeting Russian air bases with American-supplied precision ballistic missiles. That's the plan, but it will remain just a concept until the Ukrainian Air Force completes thorough testing of the new bomb and establishes production capabilities. 

Currently, the air force has equipped various aircraft, including Su-24s, Su-27s, and MiG-29s, with American and French glide bombs. In the future, these aircraft could potentially be outfitted with the new domestically produced Ukrainian bomb.