Solutions to win: Ukrainian military to conduct summer tests of locally-produced guided aerial bombs

In a few weeks, the Defense Forces will begin testing Ukrainian-made guided aerial bombs.

Serhii Holubtsov, chief of aviation of the Air Force Command of Ukraine's armed forces, said this in an interview with "Donbas Realia" (a Radio Liberty project).

What is the problem?

Currently, the Ukrainian Air Force utilizes guided aerial bombs manufactured in the West, specifically the GBU-39 та GBU-62 in different sizes.

According to Holubtsov, Ukrainian forces use 100-300 high-precision foreign aerial bombs every month, while Russian troops use about 3,000.

What is the solution?

Therefore, Ukraine's armed forces are preparing for the testing of self-made guided air bombs, which will begin in a few weeks.

^{Photo: Air Force of Ukraine's armed forces}

How does it work?

Ukraine's Air Force Command's aviation chief announced that they are converting and developing guided aerial bombs using traditional free-fall bombs.

Holubtsov noted that the new guided aerial bombs contain constructive aspects, such as:

• wing selection,
• GPS module,
• control module.

"In a couple of weeks, we should begin testing the initial batches of these bombs, which are already made in Ukraine," Holubtsov added.

For reference:

As Rubryka previously reported, Ukraine plans to significantly increase the production of various types of weapons next year: the priority will be missiles and ammunition for anti-aircraft defense.

According to Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Defense, speaking on a national telethon, the Ministry of Defense plans to boost production in 2024 in collaboration with the Ministry of Strategic Industries of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. They aim to increase the production of significantly:

• missiles,
• ammunition,
• armaments,
• and military equipment.

By 2024, Ukraine aims to manufacture over 1 million FPV drones, more than 10,000 mid-range strike drones, and 1,000+ long-range drones with a range of 1,000 km or greater.

It is worth mentioning that Ukraine and Belgium plan to collaborate on producing weapons.

In turn, the German concern Rheinmetall is negotiating the construction of a tank plant in Ukraine. Moreover, the Kremlin's threats to intensify the bombing of Ukraine will not affect the intentions of the German arms company Rheinmetall regarding this construction.

It was reported that the JSC Ukrainian Defense Industry and the Polish company Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa would jointly produce 125 mm tank shells. Ukraine and Poland signed the corresponding agreement on April 5, 2024.

In addition, Ukraine and one of the NATO countries began to produce 122-mm artillery shells. The first batch of ammunition has already been sent to the front.

About 300,000 people have been recruited to work in the defense complex of Ukraine.

The JSC Ukrainian Defense Industry signed a memorandum of cooperation with the leading German company Dynamit Nobel Defense.

In addition, the JSC Ukrainian Defense Industry will produce small arms by NATO standards.