The United States has approved the sale of thousands of long-range missiles to Ukraine, just days after President Donald Trump criticized former President Joe Biden for not giving Ukraine sufficient means to “fight back” against Russian forces.
The deal includes 3,550 Extended-Range Attack Munition (ERAM) air-to-surface missiles, each capable of striking targets up to 280 miles (450 kilometers) away. Valued at $850 million, the package will be largely funded by European partners as part of the Trump administration’s policy of ending free military aid to Ukraine.
The ERAM system, developed by Lockheed Martin, will be compatible with Ukraine’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets, which were previously supplied by Western nations. The first shipment of missiles is expected to arrive within six weeks, though the full delivery timeline remains uncertain. With current production estimated at 1,000 missiles per year—approximately 85 per month—analysts suggest that completing the full order could take at least 18 months unless the U.S. increases production or draws from its existing stockpiles.
A key point of speculation is whether the Trump administration will authorize Ukraine to use the missiles against targets in pre-2014 Russian territory. The Biden administration previously allowed limited strikes using ATACMS missiles, a decision Trump criticized at the time.
On Thursday, Trump posted on Truth Social, stating: “It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking an invader’s country. There is no chance of winning! It is like that with Ukraine and Russia.” He also promised “interesting times ahead.” Administration officials later sought to clarify his remarks, emphasizing that he was commenting on Ukraine’s lack of negotiating leverage rather than calling for escalation.
Nevertheless, the approval of the missile sale is being interpreted by analysts as a potential attempt to pressure Moscow into negotiations by signaling that Ukraine may soon have the capability to strike deeper into Russian-controlled areas.