US approves $600M JDAM guided bomb kit sale to Türkiye, other countries

The United States approved a $600 million contract with Boeing for the sale of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Laser JDAM kits to Türkiye, Israel, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia. The contract aims to enhance the precision of conventional bombs using GPS technology.

Work will be carried out at Boeing’s facility in St. Louis, Missouri, with completion expected by Sept. 29, 2035.

Foreign military sales to some countries

The deal is part of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, including Türkiye, which has been a recipient of JDAM systems in the past. In 2015, the U.S. also approved a $70 million sale of JDAM munitions to Türkiye, including 400 GBU-31(V)1, 200 GBU-31(V)3, 300 GBU-38, and 100 GBU-54 laser JDAM kits.

JDAM kits, which improve the accuracy of traditional unguided bombs, have been a critical component of U.S. military strategy since their first use in the 1999 Kosovo War.

Boeing’s role and future deliveries

Boeing will be responsible for JDAM and Laser JDAM testing, integration and maintenance under this new contract. Fiscal 2024 procurement funds of $3.6 million have already been allocated for the program, with additional funds expected to follow.

The agreement will ensure that key U.S. allies, including Türkiye, have access to the latest advancements in precision-guided munition technology, improving the effectiveness of airstrikes and minimizing collateral damage.

JDAM and its military importance

JDAM technology, developed in the mid-1990s by the U.S. Department of Defense, uses GPS to increase the accuracy of unguided bombs, ensuring they hit their intended targets with high precision. Since its introduction, JDAM kits have been widely used in military operations worldwide.