US plans to transfer smart-bomb kits to Ukraine – WP
Photo: U.S. Navy
The Biden administration plans to provide modern electronic equipment that turns unguided aviation munitions into "smart bombs" to Ukraine. They can hit the positions of russian troops with high accuracy.
The Washington Post reports, citing high-ranking US officials familiar with the matter.
The publication noted that it is not yet known whether President Joe Biden or one of his top advisers approved the proposed transfer of JDAM to Ukraine.
WP sources did not say whether Ukrainian troops will use the kits on air or ground weapons or what specific systems in the Ukrainian arsenal will be strengthened this way.
The kits, which the Pentagon calls Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), involve high-precision global positioning devices that can be attached to various weapons.
The US military used this technology on bombs weighing up to 900 kg, usually installing it in bombers and fighters.
The Biden administration has previously provided Ukraine with high-velocity air-launched anti-radiation missiles and HARMs to bolster Ukraine's ability to launch airstrikes. But this weapon functions differently than the GPS-guided JDAM.
The delivery of the JDAM would mark another important step for Washington to help Ukraine and would create a new way of targeting Russian units and headquarters, WP writes.
Since the start of russia's full-scale invasion, the US has already provided Ukraine with about $20 billion in security aid.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan predicted earlier this week that Washington would soon announce new arms shipments.
