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Trump Approves 3,350 US Strike Missiles for Ukraine—But With a Catch
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
The administration of US President Donald Trump has approved the sale of 3,350 Extended Range Attack Munitions (ERAM) to Ukraine, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The deal, worth $850 million, is largely financed by European countries and is expected to deliver the first systems in about six weeks.
Several US officials told the newspaper that the use of ERAM will require Pentagon approval. This condition reflects earlier restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American ATACMS missiles against targets in Russia, where strikes reportedly need separate authorization.
Analysts suggest that Ukraine may be allowed to employ ERAM freely against targets in temporarily occupied territories, while attacks on Russian territory could still require approval from Washington.
The missile transfer is part of a wider $850 million aid package that also includes other weapon systems, such as air defense platforms and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rounds with a range of up to 145 kilometers.
The package had been delayed until after Trump’s meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this month.
What is ERAM?
The Extended Range Attack Munition is a hybrid between an air-dropped bomb and a cruise missile. It was developed under a US Air Force program launched in January 2024 to create a low-cost standoff weapon for both American and Ukrainian forces.
Range: up to 463 km
Speed: at least 763 km/h
Accuracy: within 10 meters
The system can be adapted with different seekers, including the Quicksink guidance kit designed for targeting naval vessels. There have also been discussions about adapting ERAM as a cost-effective counter-UAV interceptor.
Information on ERAM first appeared in mid-2024, with the program reportedly tailored to Ukraine’s needs. The initial development contract required production to begin within 24 months, but the upcoming delivery suggests the manufacturer accelerated the schedule.
The projected production capacity was set at up to 1,000 missiles per year, which means delivery of all 3,350 units could take several years. It remains unclear whether the United States has already built stockpiles of the new munition.
The ERAM differs from previously supplied GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs), which faced operational challenges due to Russian electronic warfare. Unlike GLSDB, ERAM has a longer range and higher speed, giving the Ukrainian Air Force an extended strike capability.
The new weapon is expected to significantly expand Ukraine’s ability to hit high-value targets deep behind front lines, pending US approval for specific missions.
Earlier, The Financial Times reported that Ukraine proposed a $100 billion purchase of US weapons—funded by European allies—as part of its push to secure American security guarantees ahead of potential peace talks with Russia. The proposal also includes a $50 billion drone production deal with Ukrainian defense firms.
