The US readies to give military aid to Ukraine in the form of long-range weapons like the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB).
US to Provide $2 Billion Military Aid
The United States is preparing more than $2 billion worth of military aid for Ukraine. It is expected to include longer-range rockets, which are being given to Ukraine for the first time. The aid is expected to be announced this week. This aid is also expected to include Javelin anti-tank weapons, Patriot air defence systems, and precision-guided munitions.
A portion of the package would come from a fund known as the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which allows the Biden administration to get weapons from other industries rather than from U.S. weapons stocks.
This fund would go towards acquiring a new weapon called the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), made by Boeing Co. It has a range of over 150 kilometers. The United States has declined Ukraine’s request for a 297-kilometer-range ATACMS missile.
Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB)
The Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) is a type of precision-guided munition developed jointly by SAAB AB and the aerospace company, Boeing. The Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) is a family of air-launched guided bombs, and the GLSDB is a ground-launched variant of this weapon system.
It is designed to provide increased range and accuracy compared to traditional bombs, allowing for greater stand-off distances and improved precision in targeting. This bomb combines the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) with the M26 rocket motor. It is GPS-guided and can defeat some electronic jamming. The unique thing about it is that it can be used in all weather conditions, and can also be used against armoured vehicles.
However, as with all weapons, the use of the GLSDB raises concerns about potential humanitarian and civilian harm, as well as issues related to international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflict.
The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI)
The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) is a United States government program aimed at providing security assistance and support to Ukraine. In this capacity, the President has the authority to direct the Executive Branch and its agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Department of State, to provide security assistance to foreign countries.
The initiative was launched in 2014 in response to the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and Russian aggression towards Ukraine. The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative provides military aid, equipment, training, and other forms of assistance to Ukraine’s security forces, including the Ukrainian military and National Guard.
The goal of the initiative is to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and to support its efforts to reform its security sector. The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative is part of a larger effort by the international community to provide assistance and support to Ukraine as it faces ongoing security challenges and works to rebuild its economy and political system. The USAI is an example of how the United States government can leverage its resources and authority to provide security assistance to a foreign country.
Other equipment to be delivered
The USAI funds would also be used to pay for components of various other systems, equipment, and ammunition. The systems and ammunition can be HAWK air defenses, PUMA drones, counter artillery and air surveillance radars, counter-drone systems, and communications equipment. It can also be used to obtain replacement parts for major systems such as the Patriot and Bradley.
According to an official, another ally has decided to donate medical equipment to equip three field hospitals. There is another fund named Presidential Drawdown Authority funds, which allows the president to take from current U.S. weaponry stocks in an emergency. It is expected that 400 million dollars worth of aid will be given through this fund. This aid is expected to include mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs), guided multiple launch rocket systems (GMLRS), and ammunition.
With this, the United States contribution to Ukraine has reached a staggering amount of 27.2 billion dollars.
