US to buy GBU-39 SDB precision-guided bombs for Ukraine for $6.9bn

The US Ministry of Defence has signed a multi-year contract with Boenig for the supply of GBU-39 SDB small guided bombs, which have been successfully used in combat operations in Ukraine. The deal is worth $6.9 billion.

Here's What We Know

The US Department of Defence has officially announced a $6.9 billion contract with Boeing for the production of the Small Diameter Bomb (GBU-39/B SDB I). This is a very long-term contract covering the delivery of 9 batches (20 to 29) at once. According to the plan, they will be manufactured until 2035.

The contract includes obligations to supply bombs to foreign countries: Ukraine, Bulgaria and Japan. However, it is not known exactly how many GBU-39s will be produced.

However, Defence Express has taken the average cost of GBU-39/B, which is publicly available on the US Air Force website. It is about 40 thousand dollars. The price may be outdated, so taking into account inflation, the price could rise to about 46 thousand dollars for one SDB I.

Based on the cost of one GBU-39/B at $46,000, Boeing should produce approximately 150,000 of these precision-guided munitions at a rate of over 13,600 per year. This is a significant increase in production, given that the total number of such munitions in the US Air Force is reportedly 24,000, and they have been in mass production since 2005.

It can be assumed that the contract includes an adjustment for inflation, so the actual number of munitions produced may be lower. In addition, there is a version of the SDB I with semi-active laser guidance, which costs more than the standard version with inertial and satellite navigation systems. Additional changes to the munition may be made during the 10 years of the order, which will also affect the final cost.

Source: Defence Express