- A Call for Innovation to Counter Russia’s Lethal Aerial Strikes
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) has announced the launch of a new initiative to develop counter-glide bomb technology, calling on innovators, industry leaders, and academic institutions to contribute to the effort. This decision comes as glide bombs have become a devastating feature of the nearly three-year-old war in Ukraine, causing widespread destruction and significant casualties.
The initiative, known as the Counter Glide Bombs competition, is part of NATO’s broader technological development efforts under the 15th stage of the Innovation Challenges platform. The aim is to create effective strategies to detect, intercept, and neutralize these highly destructive Russian aerial weapons.
Glide Bombs in Modern Warfare
Glide bombs, originally developed during World War II, have become a formidable weapon in modern conflicts due to their cost-effectiveness and adaptability. Unlike traditional “dumb” bombs, which are dropped directly over targets without guidance, glide bombs are equipped with wing kits and satellite navigation systems, allowing them to travel significant distances with precision.
Russia has extensively employed glide bombs, particularly FAB-250, FAB-500, and FAB-1500, which are enhanced with Unified Gliding and Correction Modules (UMPK). These bombs, launched from high-altitude aircraft such as the Su-34, can autonomously fly up to 65 kilometers before striking their targets with deadly accuracy. Some of these bombs are also equipped with UMPB D-30 kits, further increasing their operational range.
The devastating impact of these weapons was highlighted in a recent attack on a building in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, which resulted in the highest civilian casualties recorded in an aerial strike in the past two years. Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), described glide bombs as “one of the greatest threats to civilians in frontline cities.”
Ukrainian Struggle Against Glide Bombs
Despite receiving advanced air defense systems from the West, Ukrainian forces have struggled to counter these weapons effectively. Unlike ballistic or cruise missiles, which can be intercepted by air defense systems such as Patriots or NASAMS, glide bombs present a different challenge. They are relatively small, have a lower radar cross-section, and are often dropped from distances that make interception difficult.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian forces launched an estimated 3,000 glide bombs against Ukraine in 2024 alone. Reports suggest that the affordability of these bombs plays a significant role in their widespread use, with the guidance kits costing under two million roubles (approximately $24,000)—a fraction of the cost of a single Kalibr cruise missile ($6.5 million).
Furthermore, Ukraine’s efforts to counter Russian warplanes deploying glide bombs have been hindered by Russia’s advanced electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, which have reportedly disrupted Ukrainian air defenses, making it even more challenging to intercept these bombs before they reach their targets.
NATO
In response to this growing threat, NATO’s Counter Glide Bombs competition is designed to identify breakthrough solutions in the following key areas:
- Threat Identification – Enhancing early warning systems to detect glide bomb launches.
- Interception & Destruction – Developing new methods to shoot down or neutralize these bombs before impact.
- Electronic Suppression – Creating electronic warfare technologies to disrupt the guidance systems of glide bombs.
- Infrastructure Protection – Strengthening defenses around key military and civilian sites.
- Economic Viability – Ensuring that the countermeasure solutions are cost-effective and scalable.
The competition emphasizes the use of cutting-edge technologies such as machine vision, artificial intelligence, and next-generation missile defense systems. NATO has expressed particular interest in solutions that can either neutralize the bombs mid-air or prevent Russian aircraft from launching them in the first place.
A NATO official stated, “The return of conventional warfare to Europe has underscored the urgent need to develop countermeasures for aerial threats that were previously underestimated. Russia’s glide bombs have changed the battlefield dynamics, and we need to adapt swiftly.”
The urgency of this competition reflects the growing concern that Russia’s glide bomb tactics could influence future conflicts beyond Ukraine. Military analysts warn that if Russia’s tactics prove too effective, other nations or groups may adopt similar strategies, making it crucial for NATO to establish countermeasures now.
Additionally, concerns are rising that the war could spill beyond Ukraine’s borders, especially as NATO-member countries continue supplying military aid to Kyiv. Russia has repeatedly warned that Western involvement could escalate the conflict into a direct confrontation. The potential for glide bombs to be used in hybrid warfare scenarios, including against NATO infrastructure, is a risk that the Alliance is not willing to take.
For defense contractors, research institutions, and tech startups, the Counter Glide Bombs competition represents an unprecedented opportunity to contribute to NATO’s evolving defense strategies. Past Innovation Challenges have led to significant advancements in drone countermeasures, cyber warfare defenses, and AI-driven battlefield analytics.
The competition is expected to attract proposals from leading defense companies, such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Thales, as well as emerging defense-tech startups specializing in electronic warfare and AI-driven defense systems.
NATO Strategy
Beyond this competition, NATO is already ramping up efforts to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. There have been discussions about supplying additional Patriot missile batteries, advanced anti-aircraft systems, and even experimental high-energy laser defenses to counter the Russian threat.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is also enhancing its offensive capabilities. The United States has provided Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER) kits, enabling Ukraine to launch precision-guided bombs at Russian positions. These bombs, weighing 1,000 pounds (460 kilograms), have already been used by the Ukrainian Air Force to strike Russian positions, adding another layer to the aerial battle.
NATO’s Counter Glide Bombs competition is expected to unfold over the coming months, with defense firms and innovators submitting proposals for review. The winning solutions will likely receive funding and rapid integration into NATO and Ukrainian defense systems.
While the competition marks a significant step in countering Russia’s aerial warfare tactics, the question remains: Can NATO’s response outpace Russia’s evolving military strategies?
As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, the effectiveness of these counter-glide bomb technologies could play a decisive role in shaping the conflict’s trajectory. Whether NATO can successfully neutralize the glide bomb threat remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—the race to innovate is now in full swing.
