Finland Purchases US GBU-53 Glide Bombs to Equip F-35 Fighter Jets
Finland Enhances F-35 Fleet with Advanced US Glide Bombs
HELSINKI, June 18 (Reuters) - Finland will buy GBU-53 SDB II glide bombs from the United States for its F-35 fighter jets, the Nordic country's defence ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
The purchase adds a new air-to-ground capability to NATO-member Finland's F-35 fleet and supplements its $9.4 billion acquisition of 64 F-35 jets from Lockheed Martin.
Key Features of the GBU-53 SDB II Glide Bomb
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Precision-Guided Capability
The GBU-53 SDB II is a precision-guided glide bomb capable of striking moving targets at medium range in adverse weather conditions, the defence ministry said in a statement.
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Compact Size and Payload Efficiency
Its small size allows multiple SDB II munitions to be carried simultaneously on a single F-35.
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Manufacturing and Support
Raytheon as Manufacturer
The bombs will be manufactured by Raytheon, a unit of U.S. defence contractor RTX.
Comprehensive Support Package
The package covers spare parts, documentation, transport, training, repair and support services.
Strategic Impact for Finland
Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said the purchase represents a new capability that strengthens Finland's defences "in demanding conditions."
Reporting and Editorial Information
(Reporting by Essi Lehto, editing by Terje Solsvik)
