Ukrainian electronic warfare reduces effectiveness of Russian glide bombs

Ukraine has found a solution against the active use of Russian bombs with universal planning and correction module (UMPK), Defense Express reports. 

For several months, there have been discussions about finding an effective countermeasure against Russian long-range guided aerial bombs, especially UMPK kits, also known as glide bombs. Now, there is an official answer to both questions.

"We have sufficient electronic warfare assets that target the control system of the enemy's guided aerial bombs. It was flying in one direction, and then for some reason, it flew in another. The control system and the fight against electronic warfare assets is a constant competition, just like the competition between drones and electronic warfare tools," said the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, in his comprehensive interview with LB.ua media.

Thus, electronic warfare means have become the main method of effectively countering this threat. However, electronic warfare does not allow the destruction of the guided aerial bombs itself, but renders it helpless by preventing it from hitting its target. As is known, UMPK modules use satellite navigation, so disrupting or altering the coordinates allows diverting the bomb from its target.

In these kits, the enemy uses its jamming-resistant "Kometa-M" antennas, initially with 4 elements, later expanding to 6, 8, and now 12 receiving elements. However, it is evident that simple scaling did not allow the Russians to maintain the effectiveness of their UMPK kits at an appropriate level.

It is also worth noting that since the guided aerial bombs flies from a significant range and height, it is possible to influence it with electronic warfare tools for an extended period. The longer the UMPK doesn't receive data about its coordinates, the greater the error. Meanwhile, if the target of the Russian guided aerial bombs attacks is a city, such deviation might not be enough.

The Russians will continue to seek ways to improve the effectiveness of this comfortable long-range weapon. Specifically, as reported by British RUSI, in 2025, Russia plans to manufacture 75,000 guided aerial bombs, which is 205 per day.