The UK will provide Ukraine with Paveway IV bombs with a range of 30 km
As part of a new military aid package, the UK plans to provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with Paveway IV laser-guided bombs that can hit targets up to 30 kilometers away. This became known from a report by BBC correspondent Jonathan Beale.
Latest batch of U.K. military aid to #Ukraine will include Paveway IV bombs .
— Jonathan Beale (@bealejonathan) April 24, 2024
The Paveway IV bombs, manufactured by Raytheon UK, were adopted by the British Air Force in 2008 and have already been used in combat during the Herrick mission in Afghanistan. It remains unknown what types of aircraft the Ukrainian Air Force will be able to use these bombs with.
Paveway IV bombs are typically used with aircraft that have appropriate guidance systems and are capable of integrating this type of weapon. The main aircraft using Paveway IV are:
- The Eurofighter Typhoon is a multi-role fighter aircraft actively used by the Royal Air Force and is one of the key aircraft equipped to drop Paveway IV.
- Panavia Tornado GR4 – although this aircraft has already been decommissioned by the Royal Air Force, it was one of the main carriers of these bombs during its service, in particular in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
These aircraft are equipped with the necessary systems to operate precision bombs, including laser guidance and GPS control, which allows them to perform accurate strikes on targets at a considerable distance.
Paveway IV bombs can also be adapted for use with F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. The F-16 is a multi-role fighter that can carry a variety of weapons, including guided bombs that have laser and GPS guidance.
Due to its versatility and advanced capabilities to integrate various weapons, the F-16 is one of the aircraft that can effectively use Paveway IV bombs to conduct precision strikes on targets at long range, making it a valuable asset in military operations.
This step by the UK is part of the international support for Ukraine in its efforts to counter Russia’s military aggression, demonstrating the continued commitment of the allies to provide the necessary assistance in the defense of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
