These bombs have been withdrawn from service with the Australian Army. However, it is not known when exactly they were transferred.
Australia has transferred Munition Extended-Range glider bombs to Ukraine, the Australian Defence publication reports.
It is noted that these bombs were removed from service with the Royal Australian Air Force.
Australia decommissioned these munitions in 2021, simultaneously with the decommissioning of its fleet of F/A-18A/B Classic Hornet fighters.
At least some of these weapons were later transferred to Ukraine. However, it is unknown when exactly they were transferred.
Australian Abrams for Ukraine
The first known use of JDAM-ER in Ukraine occurred on a Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 in March 2023, but these weapons were supplied by the United States. It was not until April 2024 that Australia confirmed that it had supplied Ukraine with unspecified air-to-ground munitions.
In July 2024, the Department of Defense announced another transfer of unspecified air-to-ground weapons as part of a $250 million package.
The JDAM-ER kit was developed by the Defense Science and Technology Group (DSTG) in the early 2000s in collaboration with Boeing and Ferra Engineering. Ferra Engineering now manufactures the kit under an agreement with Boeing that expires in 2028.