Defense Express editor-in-chief Oleh Katkov stated this on Espreso TV."The ERAM project, launched in July 2024 with the goal of developing a low-cost aerial munition for mass production, envisions the annual output of at least one thousand units.The munition has the dimensions of a 500-pound aerial bomb, that is, 227 kilograms. The flight range of such a cruise missile should exceed 400 kilometers. At the same time, the warhead does not equal the full weight of 227 kilograms, since a significant portion is taken up by the engine, fuel, control systems, and other components," Katkov explained.According to the expert, the rule of thumb for cruise missiles is that a third of their take-off weight is the warhead. That is, in this case, with 227 kilograms, the warhead may be around 70 kilograms. This will not be a super-powerful munition."The ERAM competition was won by two companies - Zone 5 Technologies and CoAspire. They developed different munitions in line with the specified tactical and technical requirements: Rusty Dagger by Zone 5 Technologies and RAACM by CoAspire.They have the same characteristics since they were created under the same tactical and technical assignment: total weight - 500 pounds, range - over 400 kilometers, ability to operate without GPS under electronic warfare conditions," Katkov noted.The military expert added that Ukraine has already received permission to purchase missiles under the ERAM project. The procurement for Ukraine will be carried out by European partner countries."Authorization has already been received, but either the deal has not yet been finalized or it has not been publicly announced. Since two companies won, the open question remains: will they jointly produce a thousand units per year, or 500 each? There is information that the first units will appear already in October, but mass production will only start in 2026. In October only a small number will be delivered, as small-scale production is currently underway," Katkov concluded.On Tuesday, September 9, at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format, UK Defense Secretary John Healey and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced new initiatives for military assistance.