Ukraine has presented its first domestically produced guided aerial bomb. It has already passed the necessary tests and is ready for combat use. The bomb is called the "Equalizer" and is cheaper than American and other Western counterparts.
On May 18, 2026, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced the creation of the first guided aerial bomb. He did not name the manufacturer, but noted that the developer is one of the participants in the Brave1 cluster.
It took 17 months to create the ammunition, and the weight of its warhead is 250 kg.
"The Ukrainian KAB has a unique design and was created taking into account the realities of modern warfare. It is not a copy of Western or Soviet solutions, but a proprietary development of Ukrainian engineers to effectively destroy fortifications, command posts, and other enemy targets tens of kilometers deep after launch," said Mykhailo Fedorov.
The Ministry of Defense has already purchased the first experimental batch of ammunition. Pilots are currently testing them in combat scenarios and learning to effectively use the new weapons in real frontline conditions.
"Soon, Ukrainian KABs will be working on enemy targets," the minister added.
UPDATED. 05/19/2026 3:00 PM
On May 19, the American publication Business Insider reported that the first Ukrainian KAB was named "Equalizer".
Brave1 reported that the new guided aerial bomb was manufactured by DG Industry.
The weapon was designed with high accuracy and compatibility with existing Ukrainian aircraft and systems in mind, a Brave1 representative told Business Insider. The bomb can be launched from Ukrainian F-16 and Mirage fighter jets, but additional certification will be required. The munition is also equipped with modern guidance algorithms that provide better targeting and accuracy.
The bomb is reportedly significantly cheaper than its Western counterparts. The "Equalizer" costs about three times less than the American JDAM-ER (Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range), which is also in service with Ukraine, a Brave1 representative told Business Insider, citing DG Industry data.
According to him, the "Equalizer" can be used regardless of weather conditions or time of day, and preparing the weapon for use takes no more than 30 minutes.
Ukraine has previously relied on JDAM-ER kits from the US and European allies. JDAM-ERs are unguided bombs equipped with guidance kits and wings, which turns them into long-range, high-precision, gliding weapons that allow aircraft to hit targets at a significant distance beyond the range of Russian air defenses. Ukraine received its first JDAM-ERs from the US in early 2023.
