America is sending Ukraine a powerful new weapon

Ukraine is set to receive a powerful new weapon from the United States and it may prove to be an important new tool for the embattled nation as it waits for additional security aid from its partners and allies. Here’s what we know. 

The United States finished testing its new long-range precision bomb meant for Ukraine according to two unnamed officials and two people familiar with the situation who spoke with Politico. However, it may already be in Ukraine. 

Photo Credit: By U.S. Air Force, Tech. Sgt. Dana Rosso, Public Domain

Politico reported that its sources believed Ukraine would receive its first units of the new Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) from the United States at the end of January. But that hasn’t been confirmed by either party. 

Photo Credit: Facebook @saabgroup.india

“I will refer to Ukraine to talk about any delivery,” Major General Pat Ryder, Department of Defense Press Secretary, explained to journalists on January 30th when asked about the timing of the new weapons delivery to Ukraine. 

“But we do, as I mentioned, continue to work closely with Ukraine and with our industry partners to ensure that Ukraine receives and is ready to use the capabilities that we’re delivering to them, and as quickly as possible,” Ryder added. 

The GLSDB was developed by Boeing and Saab but that is the least interesting aspect of the new weapon. Politico reported the United States doesn’t even have the GLSDB in its inventory, which begs the question: What can it do?

Photo Credit: Facebook @saabgroup.india

Made up of a 250-pound bomb that has been attached to a mortar rocket, the GLSDB is meant to be fired from a variety of ground launch systems and uses a precision guidance system to guide the weapon to its intended target. 

Photo Credit: Wiki Commons, By Sgt. Brandon Bednarek, Public Domain

The GLSDB has an effective range of 100 miles or 160 kilometers and is believed to be a weapon that will enhance Kyiv’s long-range strike capabilities against Russian targets behind the frontlines of the ever-evolving conflict. 

“It gives them a deeper strike capability they haven’t had,” one unnamed US official told Politico about the new weapon. “It complements their long-range fire arsenal…It’s just an extra arrow in the quiver that’s gonna allow them to do more.”

The Pentagon first revealed its intention to provide Ukraine with the GLSDB in February 2023 when the weapon showed up on a $2.17 billion dollar aid package released by the US according to a report from Defense News.

Defense News noted that the new weapon would double Kyiv’s strike range at that time and added that the GLSDB could be fired from Ukraine's supply of American High Mobility Rocket Artillery Systems, also known as Himars. 

One unnamed official who spoke with Politico explained that the GLSDB was expected to provide “a significant capability for Ukraine,” and it will enable the country’s military to strike Russian targets in a way it couldn’t before. 

The GLSDB is a GPS-precision guided bomb so accurate it can “hit within the radius of a car tire” according to a description of the weapon on Saab’s website. It’s also a more affordable option than other weapons that have similar accuracy. 

Reuters noted that the GLSDB isn’t as powerful as the MGM-140 ATACMS supplied to Ukraine by the US. But they are smaller, easier to deploy, and cheaper. This makes them well suited for “disrupting Russian operations and creating a tactical advantage.”

"It's long past time to find creative means to provide the capability and capacity needed to strike deep and often behind Russian lines," explained Center for Strategic and International Studies weapons and security expert Tom Karako.

The GLSDB will augment the limited number of ATACMS sent to Ukraine Reuters noted, adding supply of Kyiv’s US long-range missiles has been depleted by use. However, the number of GLSDB’s being sent to Ukraine is unknown according to the Politico report.