By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The US Department of State has approved a potential $825 million Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine, encompassing 3,350 Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) missiles, along with associated equipment and training. This sale, financed by the US, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway, aims to bolster Ukraine’s self-defense capabilities and enhance regional stability. Each ERAM missile boasts a 460-kilometer range and is designed to complicate Russian air defenses. This follows Ukraine’s earlier proposal for a large-scale purchase of American weapons, including an expansion of drone production, to secure long-term security guarantees.
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US Approves $825M Sale of 3,350 ERAM Missiles to Ukraine. This is big news, though the exact details are still a bit hazy. We’re talking about a possible $825 million deal that includes 3,350 Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) missiles for Ukraine. While the deal is approved, the particulars of the range restrictions are yet to be ironed out.
The approval of this potential sale is a significant step, and it underscores the ongoing need to provide robust support to Ukraine. It’s a good step forward, but it is crucial that this is just the beginning, and further support is continually provided. These ERAM missiles, with a range of 460 km and a 225 kg warhead, could be a game-changer, giving Ukraine a much-needed boost in its defense capabilities.
The ERAM, or Extended Range Attack Munition, is described as an air-launched, tactical, and affordable weapon. While information is scarce, it appears to be a new system with initial production numbers just recently completed. The fact that it can be launched from Ukrainian Air Force’s F-16s, MiG-29s, Su-25s, and Su-27s is a significant advantage. This gives Ukraine another way to strike targets on the ground. It’s a welcome addition to their arsenal and should work in tandem with existing systems like the Safran AASM Hammer and GBU-39 SDB.
It’s worth noting that funding for this purchase is coming from a combination of sources, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and U.S. Foreign Military Financing. This collaborative approach highlights the international effort to support Ukraine. It’s good to see NATO allies working together to supply capable and scalable systems in a timely manner. Europe has been stepping up significantly.
The question of whether these missiles will eventually be allowed to target areas in Russia is a crucial one. The U.S. government will still have some power over how these weapons are used. The goal here is to help Ukraine defend itself. The U.S. comment in the Evaluation document is quite interesting: “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.” Not sure what that means but at least the US is taking action.
The ERAM seems to be a cost-effective weapon. With a price tag around $250,000 per unit, it is a lot more budget-friendly. This cost-effectiveness will allow Ukraine to strike a lot more targets for their budget.
This might even be a better option than existing weapons such as Storm Shadow, which had a much smaller production run and a smaller warhead size. The ERAM will be built in a much larger quantity. With the range and payload capacity that this new missile has, it could open up numerous opportunities for Ukraine. It gives Ukraine options beyond existing options like the JDAM-ER. And with more missiles on the way, Ukraine’s capabilities should see a big increase.
One thing to keep in mind is the potential for restrictions on how these weapons are used. While Ukraine is purchasing these missiles, there could be limitations on where they can be deployed. There is still potential for the U.S. to impose restrictions on how weapons purchased from it can be used, similar to how the Swiss government blocked the transfer of Gepard ammo.
When considering the technical aspects, the ERAM seems to be some kind of hybrid, possibly a rocket-assisted bomb with wings. The ERAM also seems to be different from the SM-6 missile. The SM-6 is a surface-to-air missile, while the ERAM in this instance is an air-to-ground cruise missile. The ERAM seems to be an MK80 series bomb with a mini turbine engine and folding wings.