The United States government has approved the potential sale of air-launched missiles worth $825 million to Ukraine, in a move aimed at boosting Kyiv’s defense capability as the war with Russia grinds on into its fourth year.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on Thursday, August 28, that the package includes 3,350 Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) missiles and related support equipment.
The deal, according to Washington, is expected to enhance Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian attacks and strengthen regional stability in Europe.
The State Department gave its clearance for the transaction, but the sale will still require approval from the US Congress before it can go through.
In its statement, the DSCA said the sale “will improve Ukraine’s capability to meet current and future threats by further equipping it to conduct self-defense and regional security missions.”
The agency further noted that the transaction aligns with Washington’s foreign policy objectives “by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”
Kyiv will not shoulder the cost alone.
The missile purchase will be financed through contributions from Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway, while the United States is offering a loan guarantee to support the deal.
The move signals a continued Western commitment to arming Ukraine, even as President Donald Trump has pressed European allies to take on more responsibility in supporting Kyiv’s war effort.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the largest conflict in Europe since World War II.
Despite international sanctions and repeated calls for a ceasefire, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no readiness to halt military operations.
The Biden administration had committed over $65 billion in security assistance to Ukraine before leaving office in January 2025.
However, Trump, a longtime critic of extensive US aid to Kyiv, has shifted the burden of new military packages to Europe, while still providing political backing.
Earlier this month, Trump met with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, and later hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in a high-stakes round of talks.
Despite the diplomatic engagements, Russian forces have continued to launch strikes inside Ukraine, with at least 14 civilians killed in recent attacks.
The $825m missile deal, once cleared by Congress, is expected to mark one of the largest single arms sales to Ukraine since Trump assumed office in January.
Analysts say the missiles could significantly boost Kyiv’s precision strike capacity, potentially altering battlefield dynamics.
But with the conflict showing no signs of de-escalation, the sale may also provoke fresh warnings from Moscow, which has repeatedly accused Washington and its NATO allies of prolonging the war by supplying advanced weaponry to Ukraine.