HELSINKI, — June 18, 2026 : Finland has approved the procurement of GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) glide bombs from the United States to equip its future fleet of F-35A multirole fighter aircraft, further expanding the capabilities of the Finnish Air Force under the country's HX Fighter Programme.
Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen authorized the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command to acquire the advanced precision-guided munitions as part of the broader weapons package associated with Finland's F-35 acquisition. The procurement supplements an earlier order placed through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program under a contract signed in 2023.
The acquisition is linked to Finland's approximately $9.4 billion HX Fighter Programme, under which the country is purchasing 64 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II aircraft to replace its aging fleet of F/A-18 Hornet fighters. Deliveries of the first Finnish F-35As are expected to begin in late 2026.
Advanced Precision Strike Capability
The GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II, also known as StormBreaker, is manufactured by Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX. The weapon is designed to provide precision air-to-ground strike capability against both stationary and moving targets under a wide range of operational conditions.
The glide bomb features a tri-mode seeker that combines imaging infrared guidance, millimeter-wave radar, and semi-active laser guidance. It also incorporates GPS-aided inertial navigation, a two-way datalink, and advanced target-tracking capabilities, allowing it to engage targets in adverse weather, darkness, smoke, dust, and other challenging battlefield environments.
The SDB II carries a 105-pound (48-kilogram) multi-purpose warhead, weighs approximately 204 pounds (93 kilograms), and measures around 69 inches (176 centimeters) in length. The weapon belongs to the 250-pound class of precision-guided munitions.
The bomb can strike stationary targets at ranges of up to 60 nautical miles (111 kilometers) and moving targets at distances of approximately 40 nautical miles (74 kilometers), depending on launch conditions.
Enhancing the F-35 Weapon Package
One of the key advantages of the StormBreaker is its compact size, which allows multiple weapons to be carried internally by stealth aircraft.
The F-35A can carry up to eight SDB II glide bombs inside its internal weapons bays, enabling the aircraft to maintain its low-observable characteristics while significantly increasing the number of targets it can engage during a mission. This provides a substantial increase in payload flexibility compared to larger 1,000-pound or 2,000-pound class weapons.
The procurement adds a capability that was not previously available within the Finnish Air Force's F-35 armament package. The weapon's ability to engage moving targets in difficult weather conditions supports its use in Multi-Domain Operations, enabling coordination across air, land, sea, and other operational domains.
U.S.-Approved Procurement Package
The sale of the Raytheon-manufactured glide bombs received approval from the United States Congress and is being executed under the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) framework associated with the FMS program.
Beyond the weapons themselves, the procurement package includes:
- Technical manuals and documentation
- Spare parts and maintenance accessories
- Transportation and logistics services
- Manufacturer and supplier training programs
- Repair, maintenance, and long-term support services
The purchase supplements Finland's previous F-35 weapons procurement and expands the range of precision-strike options available to the future fighter fleet.
Supporting Finland's Defence Modernization
Finland selected the F-35A Lightning II as the winner of the HX Fighter Programme in 2021. The aircraft are being acquired in the advanced Block 4 configuration, which will provide access to a growing range of sensors, weapons, and software upgrades throughout their service life.
The integration of the GBU-53/B StormBreaker forms part of Finland's broader effort to modernize its air combat capabilities and strengthen interoperability with allied forces. As a NATO member, Finland continues to expand defence cooperation with the United States through advanced weapons procurement and capability development programs.
The acquisition ensures that Finland's future F-35 fleet will be equipped with an additional precision-guided munition capable of engaging a wide variety of targets while operating in complex and demanding environments.
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