Finland to acquire glide bombs for F-35 fighters

Finland’s Defence Forces will purchase GBU-53 Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) glide bombs from the United States for use with its F-35 multirole fighters, Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen announced in a statement.

The acquisition supplements the F-35A fleet’s air-to-ground armament, with the bomb’s compact size allowing multiple units to be carried simultaneously on a single aircraft.

Häkkänen said the purchase completes an earlier order as part of the overall F-35 procurement, adding a new capability that strengthens Finland’s defence in demanding conditions. He described the glide bomb as a technically advanced system that enhances the effective use of the F-35 fleet within the national defence framework.