The Ukrainian Armed Forces have transitioned to the active use of domestically produced weaponry on the battlefield. The Ministry of Defense has confirmed the deployment of indigenous guided air bombs (KABs) against Russian troops. The new armament is already demonstrating high effectiveness in real combat conditions.
Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov provided details on the development of Ukraine's defense industry during the Brave1 Advantage event. He reported that munitions from two local developers are already in use on the front lines. In total, eight teams are working on creating various modifications of KABs.
Versatility and Potential of the New Weaponry
According to the Minister, Ukrainian engineers are developing munitions in various weight classes. Each model possesses unique characteristics and operating principles, allowing for the flexible resolution of tactical tasks. Fedorov noted that the process of achieving maximum effectiveness is ongoing, however, the current statistics of enemy casualties are already "pleasantly shocking".
The development of domestic guided air bombs is a key element of the Brave1 defense cluster strategy. To stimulate innovation in the industry, a special financial allocation procedure known as "80/20" was introduced. Under this mechanism, 20% of the budget is allocated specifically for the creation of innovative means, which must undergo testing at specialized ranges.
"Equalizer" and Integration Prospects
Special attention is being paid to the creation of unique samples that are not copies of Western or Soviet analogues. Recently, Ukraine completed the development of the first glide bomb, the "Equalizer". The project took 17 months to develop. The system is adapted for use by the Ukrainian Air Force combat aircraft, including F-16 and Mirage fighters, and utilizes modern guidance algorithms to increase strike accuracy.
Experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that the introduction of KABs will allow Ukrainian military forces to significantly expand their campaign to intercept Russian forces. It is expected that strikes will be delivered not only in the enemy's immediate rear but also at operational depth.
Parallel to the development of its own systems, Kyiv is working on concluding direct contracts for the purchase of foreign air defense missiles, which was previously unavailable. The strategy involves combining the import of critical systems with the creation of domestic weapon analogues.
