US resumes supply of upgraded GLSDB bombs to Ukraine

US resumes supply of modernised GLSDB bombs to Ukraine, photo: ukrinform.ua

The United States plans to resume supplying Ukraine with precision-guided GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb) bombs, which have been upgraded to counter Russian electronic warfare systems.

Reuters reports this, citing two independent sources with knowledge of the situation.

The upgraded GLSDBs are expected to return to the battlefield in the coming days, as their stocks are already in Europe. The last time the Ukrainian military used this ammunition was several months ago.

The previously received GLSDBs proved to be vulnerable to Russian jamming systems, which significantly reduced their effectiveness. In this regard, in recent weeks, 19 test launches of updated versions with improved resistance to electronic warfare have been conducted.

GLSDBs are precision-guided munitions with a range of up to 161 km (100 miles), combining a GBU-39 aerial bomb and an M26 rocket engine. They allow strikes on Russian logistics facilities and ammunition depots beyond the front line.

These munitions were purchased during the administration of US President Joe Biden as part of the Security Assistance Initiative.

On the evening of 11 March, it became known that the United States was immediately cancelling the pause in intelligence sharing and resuming security assistance to Ukraine.

The Ministry of National Defence of Poland confirmed the resumption of US arms supplies to Ukraine through a hub in Rzeszow, Poland.