Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
It is a completely indigenous creation, not a copy of Western or Soviet designs.
Air warfare has changed completely over the last few years as cheap, smart munitions dominate the skies.
Armies no longer need to fly directly over a target to destroy it, thanks to technology that lets pilots strike from a position of absolute safety.
Now, a major breakthrough on the front line is set to make Putin’s woes even worse.
Breaking the mold
Ukraine has officially unveiled its very first domestic glide bomb after a secret 17-month development process. The state-backed defense tech platform Brave1 supported the project early on.
A glide bomb is a highly accurate weapon fitted with wings and special flight controls. Because it glides through the air, pilots can drop it dozens of kilometers away from dangerous enemy air defenses.
For years, Ukraine relied heavily on Western-supplied smart bombs to hold the line. By retrofitting old Soviet weapons with cheap wing kits, Russia also fielded its own crude versions.
The equalizer arrives
The new Ukrainian weapon, named Vyrivniuvach, is entirely unique. According to reports from United24 Media and Business Insider, it was built completely from scratch rather than copied from older foreign designs.
The weapon is remarkably cost-effective. Financial data shows it costs roughly three times less to build than the American-made JDAM-ER kits that Ukrainian forces currently use.
Packed with a heavy 250-kilogram warhead, the munition can easily shatter reinforced enemy concrete bunkers and command posts. The Ministry of Defense has already bought the initial experimental batch for immediate deployment.
Ready for combat
Fighter pilots are currently flying test missions to practice various combat scenarios. They are quickly adapting the new smart bomb to work under harsh wartime conditions, including heavy Russian electronic jamming.
“Ukraine is shifting from importing individual solutions to building indigenous high-tech weapons that systematically enhance the capabilities of the Defense Forces and provide technological superiority on the battlefield,” Mykhailo Fedorov stated in an official announcement.
The weapon will give the air force a massive tactical advantage. Because it is completely homemade, Ukrainian forces can launch these precision strikes without any of the strict rules or restrictions attached to Western arms.
Officials expect the weapon to make its official combat debut very soon. It promises to protect valuable aircraft while extending the military’s strike range deep behind the volatile front lines.
Sources: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, United24 Media, Business Insider, Brave1
