U.S. Approves Sale of 1,400 Smart Bombs to Poland

The United States has approved a potential $180 million deal to supply Poland with 1,400 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB-I), marking another step in Warsaw’s rapid military modernization. The sale, cleared by the U.S. State Department, also includes four inert practice bombs (GBU-39 T-1/B), training rounds, fuzes, and logistical support components.

These precision-guided munitions are produced by American defense giant Boeing and will significantly enhance Poland’s air strike capabilities. They are intended for integration with the Polish Air Force's F-16V and F-35A fighter jets, both of which are key to NATO's air defense posture in Eastern Europe.

The GBU-39/B is a lightweight, highly accurate 250-pound bomb equipped with GPS/INS guidance. Despite its small size, it can hit targets up to 46 miles (74 kilometers) away. Thanks to its compact design, each aircraft can carry four bombs per pylon using a special smart launcher (BRU-61/A), allowing pilots to strike multiple targets in a single mission with greater precision and reduced risk of collateral damage.

This latest purchase aligns with Poland’s aggressive defense spending strategy. The country has declared its intention to increase its military budget from 4.7% to around 5% of its GDP by 2026 — one of the highest among NATO members. Driven by security concerns due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the need to fortify NATO’s eastern borders, Poland has embarked on one of Europe’s most ambitious military modernization programs.

In the past year alone, Poland has committed to several major U.S. defense deals, including nearly $2 billion for the Patriot air defense system, $1.33 billion for AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, and $745 million for AGM-88G AARGM-ER anti-radiation missiles. Beyond these, Poland has also acquired tens of thousands of Warmate kamikaze drones, Tarantula unmanned ground vehicles, and Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles to further strengthen its land forces.

By reinforcing its air, land, and missile strike capabilities, Poland is positioning itself not only as a frontline NATO state but as a regional military power with enhanced interoperability with the United States and other Western allies.