Ukraine’s ‘Equalizer’ bomb aims to blow up reliance on US, European weapons

Dmytro Chubenko of the Kharkiv regional prosecutor’s office examines a set Russian glide bomb wings, which turn Soviet-era bombs (to the left) into projectiles that can be maneuvered over long ranges, as Ukraine’s Kharkiv regional prosecutor’s office maintains a collection of Russian drones, glide bombs, missiles and rockets launched at Ukraine as evidence for eventual war crimes prosecutions against Russia.(Scott Peterson/Getty Images)

The Equalizer turns a conventional bomb into a precision weapon by adding wings and guidance systems.It is designed to be dropped from Ukraine’s MiG-29, Su-24 and Su-27 warplanes, allowing pilots to attack targets farther behind Russian lines while staying farther away from Russian air defenses.

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Brave1 told The War Zone that the bomb could eventually be used by Ukraine’s donated F-16 and Mirage fighter jets, but it needs additional certification before that can happen.

Russia’s use of glide bombs has become one of the most punishing parts of the war for Ukrainian troops and towns near the front.Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said Russian forces dropped more than 8,300 guided aerial bombs in July — the highest monthly total of the war and an average of more than 267 bombs a day.

Russia’s wider air assault has also intensified in recent days.A Russianmissile-and-drone barrage on Kyivand the surrounding region overnight killed at least 16 people and wounded about 40, Ukrainian officials said Thursday.The attack damaged homes, a school and a children’s hospital.

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Ukraine’s new homegrown “Equalizer” guided bomb is designed for use on MiG-29 fighter jets, like the one pictured above, along with the country’s Su-24 and Su-27 aircraft.(Jozsef Soos/Getty Images)

The Equalizer does not make Ukraine fully independent from foreign supply chains.Brave1 said the bomb’s wings and flight-control software were made in Ukraine, but its chips and microcircuits come from abroad.The group said about 90% of the weapon’s parts come from Ukraine, Europe and the U.S.

The weapons have helped Russia pound Ukrainian defensive positions and communities near the fighting.

Ukraine has continued to press the U.S.and European allies formore air-defense weapons.Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyysaid earlier this month that the U.S.had agreed to sendPatriot interceptor missileseach month, but he warned that the volumes were not enough to meet Ukraine’s needs.

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Rescuers work at a food processing plant damaged by guided aerial bombs in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on July 8, 2026.The strike damaged part of the facility, injured an employee and damaged several vehicles.(Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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It is not yet clear when the Equalizer will reach Ukrainian units in large numbers or whether it has been used in combat.

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