The United States is set to resume deliveries of precision-guided Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) to Ukraine, following enhancements aimed at countering Russian electronic warfare tactics. These munitions, which combine the GBU-39 aerial bomb with the M26 rocket motor, offer a range of approximately 100 miles (161 kilometers), enabling Ukrainian forces to target strategic locations such as logistics centers and ammunition depots situated deep behind enemy lines.
The decision to reinstate GLSDB supplies comes in response to reports indicating that Ukraine’s stockpile of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) has been depleted. The GLSDBs were initially procured during former President Joe Biden’s administration through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a program under which the U.S. has invested nearly $33.2 billion in military aid for Ukraine.
Recent testing of the upgraded GLSDBs has demonstrated improved resilience against electronic jamming, with 19 test firings conducted to assess the effectiveness of the modifications. Some of these enhancements involve reinforcing the weapon’s internal components to better withstand electronic interference.
The resumption of GLSDB deliveries is anticipated to bolster Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities, providing a timely reinforcement as the nation continues to defend its sovereignty amid ongoing conflict.
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