The Ministry of Defence of Finland has announced on Thursday that it will buy GBU-53 SDB II glide bombs from the USA to arm the incoming fleet of F-35 fighter jet aircraft.

With this purchase, the NATO member country will gain an important air-to-ground strike capability. It supplements the F-35 program in the country directly, especially for the delivery of 64 advanced F-35 fighter jets from aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin, which was a historic $9.4 billion acquisition by Finland.

Strategic Advantages of the GBU-53 SDB II

The GBU-53 SDB II is a very sophisticated precision-guided glide bomb. Defense officials pointed out that it could easily intercept and strike moving targets at medium range, even in bad weather conditions where it could be hard to see.

One of the key capabilities of this weapon is its size – it can be carried by one F-35 aircraft at a time and not impact the stealth profile. Raytheon, a unit of the big U.S. defense company RTX, will produce the glide bombs.

It is a full package procurement system for preparation in the long haul, not just munitions. The agreement, which is coordinated with the U.S. Department of Defense, includes key spares, technical documentation, logistics for transport, special training by pilots, and continuous repair and support.

The Defense Minister of Finland, Antti Hakkanen, praised the procurement, calling it a “very strong addition” to Finland’s defense readiness and overall national resilience in a difficult time.