On Friday, December 5, 2025, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) published the U.S. Department of State’s approval of a potential sale to the Republic of Korea of a large batch of GBU-39/B SDB I small-diameter air-launched glide bombs, in a package valued at up to 111.8 million USD.
GBU-39/B SDB I / Image: Boeing
According to the published information, the government in Seoul requested authorization to acquire 624 GBU-39/B SDB I bombs, which will be added to an earlier request for 387 bombs of this type valued at up to 18.8 million USD. As a result, the potential total procurement would rise to 1,011 bombs.
The package also includes the following non-MDE (Major Defense Equipment) items: components, spare parts, and aircraft accessories; explosives; devices; propellants and subcomponents; consumables and accessories; repair and return support; as well as engineering, technical, and logistical services provided by the U.S. government and the contractor (Boeing), along with other related logistics and program-support elements.
In 2017, the United States approved the sale to South Korea of 1,848 GBU-39/B SDB I bombs under a package worth approximately USD 171 million. Deliveries began between 2018 and 2020. The bombs were integrated primarily onto F-15K Slam Eagle multirole aircraft. South Korea was one of the first foreign users of the bombs, alongside Australia and Israel.
The GBU-39/B SDB I (Small Diameter Bomb) weighs 129 kg (285 lb), is 1.8 m long (70.8 in), and has a diameter of 190 mm (7.5 in). These bombs were first introduced into U.S. Air Force service in 2005. Thanks to their 129-kg mass, they can be carried four per BRU-61/A multiple ejector rack. As glide bombs, they can strike stationary targets at distances exceeding 110 km from the release point. Their small warhead, containing a 16-kg AFX-757 explosive charge, and accuracy of around 5–8 meters also reduce collateral damage.
Recently, approvals to purchase this type of bomb have been granted to Norway, Romania, Morocco, Japan, and Canada. On 4 September this year, Poland ordered a large batch of these bombs for approximately 120 million USD net. The earlier approval of 21 May covered 1,400 units valued at up to 180 million USD. Prior recipients included Japan (under a production agreement dated 30 September 2024), Bulgaria, and Ukraine.
They also form part of the GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb) precision artillery system, where they are paired with the rocket motor of an M26 DPICM (Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition) missile. The GLSDB was showcased in Poland at the recent MSPO defense fair in Kielce, integrated with the Chunmoo launcher.
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