ERAM Missile
Introduction: ERAM Missiles Heads to Ukraine
The onset of production of the MiG-29 and F-16 compatible Extended-Range Attack Missiles (ERAM) will significantly boost Ukraine’s air arm. According to records by the United States Air Force, the first delivery of 840 ERAMs is scheduled to be provided in October 2026, representing a significant upgrade in offensive capacity in Kyiv. Additionally, Kyiv plans to deliver a qualifying trial shipment of 10 missiles as early as this October.
Congressional Support and Acquisition Schedule
Congressional support
The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency’s (DSCA) cleared the MiG-29 and F-16 interoperable ERAM missiles by notifying Congress. Lawmakers reviewed the deal for 30 days before authorising the sale of up to 3,550 missiles. With a $225 million budget and rapid procurement, officials signed contracts, fired tests on MiG aircraft, and secured prototypes within a year.
American F-16 and Soviet MiG-29: Actual Interoper
The agreement’s key feature allows both Soviet-era and American-made fighter aircraft to launch the interoperable ERAM F-16 and MiG-29 missiles. This double compatibility is particularly important for Ukraine since it has a heterogeneous air fleet. The compatibility gives Kyiv greater tactical flexibility and reduces dependence on a single aircraft category and hence raises the flexibility level of the air force when used in warfare contexts.
CoAspire and Rusty Dagger
Producers Participating in the ERAM Program The ERAM project is divided between two US companies. Virginia company CoAspire has the Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile (RAACM) underway. It has a 500-pound mass, comes armed with a combined penetrator and fragmentation warhead, and reaches subsonic velocities of up to 200 m/s.
The Rusty Dagger is the other ongoing project, this one by the company Zone 5 Technologies in California. Although detailed technical parameters are classified, performance specifications like the CoAspire model can be anticipated. As the projects stand together, the MiG-29- and F-16-compatible ERAM missiles are scalable, affordable, and adaptable.
Strategic Impact on Ukraine’s Air Force
MiG-29 and F-16 interoperable ERAM missile production started in the spring of 2025 to meet Ukraine’s urgent defence needs. The ERAM provides long-range, affordable strike options, allowing Ukraine to disrupt enemy supply chains with precision. It also enables Kyiv to hit deeper targets, giving commanders new flexibility in planning air operations. Experts believe these missiles could shift the air balance and provide Ukraine with an edge against stronger opponents.
Conclusion: Ukraine at the Crossroads
The planned introduction of the MiG-29 and F-16 interoperable ERAM missiles by 2026 represents the first historic upgrade to Ukraine’s air force in decades. Because they are affordable, multi-platform capable, and cross-platform compatible armaments, such missiles represent a revolutionary period in the future of aerial warfare for Ukraine.
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