US greenlights $825 million arms sale to Ukraine, including powerful air munitions

According to the Department, Ukraine has expressed its intention to purchase up to 3,350 Extended Range Attack Munitionі (ERAM) along with the same number of GPS/INS modules.

The total cost is estimated at $825 million.

The assistance package also includes:

• Missile containers;
• Suspension pylons;
• Components and auxiliary equipment;
• Spare parts, consumables, and accessories;
• Repair and return services;
• Weapons software, and related equipment;
• Mission planning system hardware;
• Supply and support of classified software;
• Classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation;
• Personnel training and training equipment;
• Transportation support;
• Studies and surveys;
• US government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics services;
• Other related logistical and program support elements.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the State Department noted.

Washington believes that the new aid package will improve Ukraine’s ability to counter current and future threats by further equipping it for self-defense and regional security tasks. In addition, the Department emphasized that Ukraine will have no difficulty integrating these goods and services into its armed forces.

Ukraine will finance this purchase using funds from Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway, as well as foreign military financing provided by the US.

What is known about ERAM missiles

The SM-6 ERAM (Extended Range Attack Munition) is an American surface-to-air guided missile from the Standard Missile (SM) family and is an integral component of the Aegis air and missile defense system.

Its main advantage is versatility: the missile is capable of destroying not only aircraft and cruise missiles, but also ballistic targets in their terminal phase and even surface ships. Thanks to the combination of an active radar homing seeker and target designation from the ship’s radar, the SM-6 operates effectively at long ranges and high speeds.

The SM-6 has a range of over 240 km and can reach speeds of up to Mach 3.5, allowing it to intercept even high-speed threats. It has been in service with the US Navy since 2013 and has undergone multiple upgrades, enhancing its effectiveness against hypersonic weapons.

The SM-6 is launched from universal Mk 41 VLS launchers deployed on Aegis-class cruisers and destroyers. Due to its multifunctionality, it is often referred to as a three-in-one missile - capable of surface-to-air, anti-missile, and anti-ship missions simultaneously.

US military aid to Ukraine has been temporarily halted

In early July, several Western media outlets reported that the US had suspended deliveries of precision missiles and munitions for Ukraine’s Patriot air defense system. The administration of President Donald Trump explained that the decision was made to review existing weapons stocks, which had significantly declined.

According to media reports, the pause was allegedly caused by a shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles. The final order to halt weapons deliveries to Ukraine, the reports claimed, came from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who did not inform Congress or President Trump.

Following a phone call with President Zelenskyy, Trump announced an increase in US weapons shipments to help Ukraine defend against Russian attacks.

On July 23, the State Department and the Pentagon approved the sale of two military aid packages to Ukraine, with a combined value of $322 million.