A new missile that will double Ukraine’s strike range in its war with Russia is included in a new military aid package worth more than $2.175 billion to be sent by the United States, a US official said on Friday, Reuters reported.

“As part of the USAI (Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative) package, we will provide Ukraine with small-diameter ground-based bombs,” said Brigadier General Patrick Ryder at a briefing.

The military package announced on Friday opens the door to additional deliveries of small-diameter ground-launched bombs (GLSDB), which have a range of more than 150 kilometers.

The GLSDB will exponentially increase Ukraine’s range after the US-provided High Mobility Artillery Missile Systems (HIMARS) arrive in Ukraine in late June 2022.

HIMARS played a key role in Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces that invaded on February 24, 2022.

Despite the fact that the missiles will effectively double the range of Ukrainian weapons, the package will not include the ATACMS missile, the range of which exceeds 320 kilometers. The US has consistently rejected Ukrainian requests for the system due to fears that it could be used to strike targets on Russian territory.

In January, Politico reported, citing US officials, that the US was preparing to includeA small-diameter ground bomb (GLSDB) in the new package of military aid to Ukraine.

What are Small Diameter Land Bombs (GLSDB)

The GLSDBs, created by Saab and Boeing, are folding-wing missiles that hover over targets up to 150 kilometers away and can be launched using multiple-launch rocket fire systems that Ukraine has already received from its Western allies.

The GLSDB would significantly increase the 80-kilometer range of the already war-changing HIMARS missile launchers and cover virtually all of Ukrainian territory occupied by Russian forces, with the exception of Crimea, possibly forcing Moscow to relocate its ammunition depots and other military facilities. much further from the front line, probably even directly on the territory of Russia.

A major advantage of this system is that it combines the GBU-39 small diameter bomb and the M26 rocket motor, both of which are widely available in the United States arsenal.

The GLSDB system, created by a partnership between Saab and Boeing, is characterized by high accuracy at long distances, and the GLSDB also has the ability to fly complex trajectories and maneuver to engage targets that cannot be hit by conventional firearms, either directly or indirectly. It is launcher independent, meaning it can be launched from a container solution as well as any launcher that can use the M26 launch container, such as the HIMARS, M270, and ChunMoo. The containerized solution can also be used on board ships, ensuring that the GLSDB can be launched from both land and naval assets, Saab said in 2019 after testing it.

The GBU-39 bombs, which will be used in the systems’ warheads, have small folding wings that allow them to hover over 100 kilometers when launched from an aircraft and can hit targets up to one meter in diameter.

Additionally, each bomb costs only $40,000, a very low price compared to other weapons supplied to Ukraine, and the rocket engine used by the GLSDB is available in large quantities in US weapons stockpiles.

Moscow’s reaction

The Kremlin claims that the new Western weapons that Ukraine will receive will not change the development of the conflict. “They will make additional efforts towards us, but they will not change the course of events, as the special military operation will continue,” said the press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Dmytro Peskov.

“The entire NATO military infrastructure is working against Russia,” including their reconnaissance aircraft and satellites, Peskov noted. “Of course, all this creates very special conditions for us, hostile conditions that we cannot ignore,” he added.