The US has authorised the potential sale of Joint Direct Attack Munitions – Extended Range (JDAM-ER) kits and related equipment to Ukraine, with the possible transaction valued at approximately $373.6m.
Under the approved request, Ukraine would acquire 1,200 KMU-572 JDAM tail kits and 332 KMU-556 JDAM tail kits.
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The package also covers a range of non-major defence equipment, including FMU-139 fuze systems, support apparatus, spare and repair components, consumables, publications (both classified and unclassified), and transportation services.
Additional support will consist of engineering, technical and logistical services provided by the US government and contractors.
Boeing has been designated as the principal contractor for the sale.
The US Department of State indicated that the sale would strengthen Ukraine’s ability to respond to present and future threats by providing additional resources for self-defence and regional security, including enhanced air defence systems.
“Ukraine will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces,” it stated.
The JDAM-ER, a winged version of the standard Joint Direct Attack Munition, is a bomb guidance kit that enhances weapon range and precision.
Developed jointly by Boeing and Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Organisation, the JDAM-ER entered service with the Royal Australian Air Force in 2015.
The kit uses a modular, extended-range wing system to increase the reach of 500lb munitions from 24km to more than 72km.
The design allows for field adaptation to existing JDAM systems and can be further upgraded with enhancements such as laser sensors and anti-jamming technologies.
Last August, the US Department of State also approved a separate potential sale to Ukraine, involving $825m in Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) missiles and related equipment, as part of broader military support.
