Ukraine has begun acquiring a domestically produced glide bomb, known as the Vyrivniuvach or "Equalizer," designed to allow its pilots to strike Russian forces from greater distances. This development aims to reduce Ukraine's dependence on weapons supplied by the United States and Europe, as foreign military aid remains a subject of ongoing discussion.
The "Equalizer" bomb was developed by Ukrainian company DG Industry with support from Brave1, a government-backed defense technology initiative. According to a Ukrainian military official cited by Ukrinform, the bomb has completed its testing phase and is now being procured for the armed forces.
Previously, Ukrainian warplanes have relied on U.S.-supplied JDAM-ER bomb kits and Small Diameter Bombs, alongside French-made Hammer bombs, for precision strikes. The "Equalizer" is intended to convert conventional bombs into precision-guided munitions by adding wings and guidance systems. It is designed for use on Ukraine's MiG-29, Su-24, and Su-27 fighter jets. Brave1 indicated that the bomb could potentially be integrated with donated F-16 and Mirage fighter jets in the future, pending additional certification.
Russia's use of glide bombs has presented a significant challenge, with Russian forces reportedly dropping over 8,300 guided aerial bombs in July alone, according to Ukraine's Defense Ministry. These weapons have been used to target Ukrainian defensive positions and communities near the front lines.
In parallel, tensions have escalated with recent cross-border attacks. Ukraine reported Russian missile and drone strikes across the country, including an attack that damaged a World Health Organization warehouse and caused casualties. Conversely, Russian officials reported casualties from a Ukrainian drone attack in Belgorod.
While the "Equalizer" is largely domestically produced, approximately 90% of its components originate from Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S., with certain chips and microcircuits sourced from abroad. It remains unclear when the bomb will be deployed in large numbers or if it has seen combat use.