Pentagon reviews Boeing's proposal for new weapons for Ukraine

US military reserves and allies are shrinking, and Ukraine is facing increased need for more sophisticated weapons as the war continues. Sources said the system proposed by Boeing, dubbed Land Bombs with Small Diameter (GLSDB), is one of dozens of plans to produce new ammunition for Ukraine and US allies in Eastern Europe.

According to a first document from Reuters agency and three sources familiar with the plan, these bombs could be delivered in the spring of 2023. This system combines small-sized GBU-39 bombs with M26 missiles, located in US reserves.

Dourg Bush, the chief of arms purchase in the United States Army, told reporters at the Pentagon last week that the US Army was considering the possibility of speeding up the production of 155 millimeter artillery missiles, which are currently produced only in government facilities, giving this right to defence contractors.

Bush said that the “attack on Ukraine increased the demand for weapons and ammunition produced by America, while US allies in Eastern Europe are adding commands” to a range of weapons while supplying Ukraine”.

“is required to receive large amounts at cheap prices,” said Tom Karako, a weapons and security expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. He said the decline in US reserves helps to understand the rush to increase orders for weapons, adding that the “reserves are being reduced compared to the levels targeted”.

Karako also noted that the US withdrawal from Afghanistan left a lot of bombs released from the air. They can't be used easily by Ukrainian planes, but in the present context we have to look for innovative ways to use them”.

Although a small portion of GLSDB units have already been created, there are many logistical obstacles to official procurement. Boeing's plan seeks not to determine the price, ensuring the Pentagon gets the best possible deal. Any agreement would also require at least six suppliers to accelerate the shipments of their parts and services with the aim of producing weapons as soon as possible.

A Boeing spokesman refused to comment. Pentagon spokesman, Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gorman refused to comment on offering any “specific production” for Ukraine, but said the United States and its allies “identification and consider the most appropriate system” that would help Kiev.

Although the United States has rejected requests for the 297km radius ATACMS missile, G rocket The 150km-ray LSDB would allow Ukraine to hit important military targets that have so far been unable to strike and continue counterattacks against Russia.

G LSDB is produced jointly by SAAB companies AB and Boeing since 2019, well ahead of the invasion, which Russia calls a “special operation”. In October, Swedish SAAB company chief executive Micael Johannson said he was very soon waiting for the launch of contracts for GLSDB.

According to the document, a proposal by the American company Boeing the European Command to the U.S.A. would make supply with key components for GLSDB.

According to the SAAB company's website, G system LSDB is commanded by GPS, is used in all weather conditions and can be used against armoured vehicles.

At a production plant in Arkansas, Lockheed Martin is doubling efforts to meet the growing demand for the precise missile system, HIMARS, which have resulted in successful hits for Russian supply lines, command stations and even tanks. U.S. defence contractor 1 is working on the problems of the supply chain and lack of workforce to double the high-speed missile system, or HIMARS, leading to 96 a year.