Tomahawk Cruise Missiles: America's Precision Strike Weapon and Potential Game-Changer for Ukraine in Ongoing Russia Conflict

Why in News

US President Donald Trump has hinted at sending long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine as a way to pressure Russia into ending the war, stating that if the conflict does not settle soon, the US might provide these offensive weapons capable of reaching deep into Russian territory, including Moscow, from Ukrainian positions. This comes amid ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and discussions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with Russia warning that such a move would escalate the conflict significantly.

Key Points

1. 1. Trump suggested providing Tomahawk missiles indirectly through NATO to Ukraine, emphasizing they would be used only for military targets and not civilians, as stated by Zelenskyy.
2. 2. The missiles have a range of up to 2,500 km (1,550 miles), enabling strikes on most of European Russia, including key cities like Moscow, from Ukrainian soil.
3. 3. Russia has expressed extreme concern, viewing the potential supply as a "new step of aggression" that could lead to further escalation in the war that began in 2022.
4. 4. Tomahawk missiles are subsonic cruise missiles launched from ships, submarines, or ground platforms, known for their low-altitude flight to evade radar detection.
5. 5. Typically equipped with a 1,000-pound (about 450 kg) high-explosive warhead equivalent to 400 pounds of TNT, variants include cluster bomblets for area targets or bunker-busters for hardened sites.
6. 6. Developed in the 1970s and first used in combat during the 1991 Gulf War, Tomahawks have been deployed in over 2,300 combat missions across conflicts like Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria.
7. 7. The US has flight-tested Tomahawks more than 550 times, with modern variants featuring GPS guidance, real-time targeting updates, and the ability to loiter over targets before striking.
8. 8. Ukraine seeks these missiles to counter Russian advances and target distant military assets, as current Western-supplied weapons like ATACMS have shorter ranges of about 300 km.
9. 9. The potential transfer aligns with US efforts to support Ukraine without direct involvement, but it risks heightening tensions with Russia, which has threatened retaliation.
10. 10. Manufactured by Raytheon (now RTX), the Tomahawk costs around $1.87 million per unit, with over 10,000 produced since the 1980s, and is used by the US Navy and allies like the UK and Australia.

Explained

What are Tomahawk cruise missiles and how do they work?

- Basic Definition: Tomahawk is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile developed by the US, designed for precision strikes on land or sea targets, powered by a turbofan engine after an initial solid-fuel booster launch.

- Key Features: It flies at low altitudes (30-50 meters) to avoid radar, uses GPS, inertial navigation, and terrain contour matching for accuracy within 10 meters, and can carry various warheads like conventional explosives or submunitions.

- Variants Overview: Includes Block IV for land attacks with two-way communication for mid-flight retargeting, Block V with enhanced anti-ship capabilities, and earlier versions like Block III with improved guidance; some carry up to 166 bomblets for cluster effects.

- Launch Platforms: Deployed from surface ships (like destroyers), submarines (via torpedo tubes or vertical launch systems), and potentially ground launchers, making it versatile for naval forces.

What is the historical background of the Tomahawk missile's development?

- Origins in Cold War Era: Developed in the 1970s by General Dynamics (later acquired by Raytheon) as part of US efforts to counter Soviet threats, with the first flight test in 1976 and operational deployment in 1983 on US Navy ships and submarines.

- Evolution Through Upgrades: Started as a nuclear-capable missile but shifted to conventional warheads after arms treaties; Block IV in 2004 added loitering and retargeting, while Block V (2020s) focuses on maritime strikes and hypersonic evasion countermeasures.

- Production and Global Use: Over 10,000 units built, exported to allies like the UK (used in Iraq and Libya), Australia, and Japan; costs have risen from $1 million to $1.87 million per missile due to advanced tech.

- Role in US Military Doctrine: Represents "stand-off" warfare, allowing strikes from safe distances without risking pilots, aligning with post-Vietnam strategies for precision and reduced casualties.

How have Tomahawk missiles been used in major conflicts?

- Debut in Gulf War (1991): Fired 288 missiles to destroy Iraqi command centers, air defenses, and power facilities, proving low observability and accuracy in Operation Desert Storm.

- Post-9/11 Operations: Used extensively in Afghanistan (2001) against Taliban camps, Iraq (2003) for regime change strikes, and Libya (2011) to enforce no-fly zones; over 800 launched in Syria (2017-2018) against chemical weapon sites.

- Recent Deployments: In Yemen (2016) against Houthi radars, and in response to Iranian actions; a botched 2009 strike in Yemen using cluster variants highlighted risks of civilian casualties from failure-prone bomblets.

- Lessons from Usage: Demonstrated high success rates (over 85%) but vulnerabilities to jamming; influenced global missile tech, inspiring systems like Russia's Kalibr and India's Nirbhay.

Why is the potential supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine significant in the current war?

- Strategic Advantage for Ukraine: With a 2,500 km range, they would allow Kyiv to hit Russian supply lines, command posts, and infrastructure far beyond current capabilities, shifting from defensive to offensive posture.

- Escalation Risks with Russia: Moscow sees this as crossing a red line, potentially leading to direct confrontations or nuclear threats, as Tomahawks could reach key Russian cities and military bases.

- US Policy Context: Part of escalating aid since 2022, including ATACMS and F-16s, but Tomahawks represent a major step-up; Trump’s hint aims to force negotiations without US troops.

- Broader Geopolitical Implications: Could strain US-Russia relations, affect NATO unity, and influence global arms control, echoing Cold War dynamics where such weapons deterred aggression.

What are the technical and ethical challenges associated with Tomahawk missiles?

- Technical Limitations: Subsonic speed (880 km/h) makes them vulnerable to advanced air defenses; cluster variants have high dud rates (up to 10%), posing long-term hazards.

- Ethical Concerns: Cluster bomblets criticized for indiscriminate effects, leading to US restrictions post-2009; precision reduces collateral damage but not always, as seen in misfires.

- Proliferation Risks: Export to non-NATO allies like Ukraine could spread tech, prompting countermeasures from adversaries like China or Iran.

- Maintenance and Training Needs: Ukraine would require US support for integration, as missiles need compatible launchers and operator training.

How does the Tomahawk compare to similar missiles worldwide?

- Versus Russian Kalibr: Similar range and sea-launch capability, used in Ukraine war; Kalibr is supersonic in some variants, but Tomahawk excels in stealth and upgradability.

- Indian Nirbhay and BrahMos: Nirbhay (1,000 km range) is subsonic like Tomahawk, while BrahMos is supersonic for faster strikes but shorter range (290-900 km).

- Chinese YJ-18: Anti-ship focused with 540 km range, less versatile than Tomahawk's multi-role design.

- Global Trends: Highlights shift to hypersonic missiles, but Tomahawk's proven reliability keeps it relevant in asymmetric warfare.

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