Ukraine Unveils New ‘Equalizer’ Glide Bomb to Reduce Reliance on Western Weapons

Homegrown weapon is designed to give Ukrainian pilots longer-range precision strike capability while reducing dependence on U.S. and European-supplied munitions

Ukraine is moving to strengthen its domestic weapons industry with a new homegrown glide bomb designed to strike Russian targets from greater distances while reducing Kyiv’s reliance on foreign-supplied precision munitions.

The weapon, known as the Vyrivniuvach, or “Equalizer,” was developed by Ukrainian defense company DG Industry with support from Brave1, a government-backed defense technology initiative.

A Ukrainian military official told Ukrinform that the weapon has completed testing and is now being purchased for Ukraine’s armed forces.

The Equalizer is designed to transform conventional bombs into guided precision weapons by adding wings, flight-control systems and guidance technology. It can currently be deployed from Ukraine’s MiG-29, Su-24 and Su-27 aircraft.

The system is intended to allow Ukrainian pilots to launch strikes from greater stand-off distances, potentially keeping aircraft farther away from Russian air-defense systems while targeting positions deeper behind the front lines.

A push for greater weapons independence

Ukraine has relied heavily on Western-supplied precision weapons throughout the war, including U.S.-provided JDAM-ER kits and Small Diameter Bombs, along with France’s Hammer glide bombs.

The Equalizer could give Kyiv greater control over its supply of air-launched precision weapons at a time when the future scale and timing of foreign military assistance remain uncertain.

Brave1 has said the weapon could eventually be adapted for use with Ukraine’s donated F-16 and Mirage fighter jets, although additional certification would be required before those aircraft could deploy it.

The development comes as Russia continues to make extensive use of its own glide bombs, which have become a major threat to Ukrainian troops and communities near the front.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported that Russian forces dropped more than 8,300 guided aerial bombs in July, the highest monthly total of the war. That amounts to an average of more than 267 guided bombs being launched each day.

Ukraine still relies on foreign components

Despite its Ukrainian design, the Equalizer does not completely eliminate dependence on foreign supply chains.

Brave1 said the weapon’s wings and flight-control software are produced in Ukraine, while some chips and microcircuits are sourced from abroad. According to the organization, approximately 90% of the weapon’s components come from Ukraine, Europe and the United States.

That makes the Equalizer less of a complete break from Western suppliers and more of an effort to build a larger domestic production base while maintaining access to critical foreign technology.

The push comes as Ukraine continues asking the U.S. and European allies for additional air-defense systems to counter Russia’s escalating missile and drone attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this month that the United States had agreed to provide Patriot interceptor missiles each month, while warning that the quantities remained below what Ukraine says it needs.