Ukraine is accelerating the procurement of a domestically produced gliding bomb that is expected to help pilots strike Russian military targets from a safer distance, while reducing reliance on American and European weapons.
According to a report by Fox News, this new type of weapon is called the “Equalizer” (in Ukrainian: Вирівнювач), developed by the Ukrainian company DG Industry with the assistance of the government-supported defense technology group Brave1.
A Ukrainian military official told Ukrinform that the bomb has completed testing and the Ukrainian armed forces are in the process of procuring this weapon.
The “Equalizer” is equipped with wings and a guidance system, transforming traditional bombs into precision guided weapons. Currently, it is an unpowered gliding bomb that can be deployed by Ukraine’s MiG-29, Su-24, and Su-27 fighter jets, allowing pilots to target Russian positions further away while staying clear of Russian air defense systems.
Brave1 informed The War Zone magazine that this bomb may eventually be used by Ukraine’s F-16 and Mirage fighter jets, but additional certification is required beforehand.
The Russian military extensively uses gliding bombs, causing significant destruction to Ukrainian forces and towns near the frontlines. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense stated that in July alone, Russian forces dropped over 8,300 gliding bombs, marking the highest monthly drop since the start of the conflict, averaging more than 267 bombs per day.
In recent days, Russia has intensified its airstrikes. Ukrainian officials reported on Thursday (August 20) that missile and drone attacks by Russia on Kyiv and its surrounding areas have resulted in at least 16 deaths, around 40 injuries, and damage to residential buildings, a school, and a children’s hospital.
The “Equalizer” bomb does not completely eliminate Ukraine’s reliance on foreign supply chains. Brave1 noted that the bomb’s wings and flight control software are made in Ukraine, but its chips and microcircuits come from abroad; the organization stated that around 90% of the weapon’s components are sourced from Ukraine, Europe, and the United States.
Ukraine continues to call on the US and its European allies to provide more anti-aircraft weapons. Ukrainian President Zelensky recently mentioned that the US has agreed to supply “Patriot” interceptor missiles to Ukraine monthly, but the quantity is insufficient to meet Ukraine’s needs.
It remains unclear when the “Equalizer” bomb will be delivered in large quantities to Ukrainian forces, and whether it has been utilized in actual combat.