Ukraine Gains ability to Strike Deep into Russia with Newly Supplied Tomahawk Missiles
WASHINGTON/KYIV - Ukraine has significantly expanded its strike capabilities with the recent delivery of Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States, perhaps enabling attacks on over 1,900 targets within Russian territory, according to analysis from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The growth comes as Ukraine continues to seek ways to disrupt Russian logistics and military production.
Currently, Ukraine utilizes three types of long-range weaponry supplied by Western allies: the U.S.-provided ATACMS tactical ballistic missile (range of 300 km), and the British Storm Shadow and French SCALP-EG air-to-ground cruise missiles (both with a 250 km range). While Ukraine also employs attack drones, these possess limited destructive power and are frequently intercepted by Russian air defenses.
The Tomahawk missile, however, offers a distinct advantage with its extended range, ample destructive capability, and ability to evade air defense systems. ISW suggests this could allow Ukraine to target critical assets such as the Shahed drone factory in yelabuga, Tatarstan, and the Engels-2 air base in Saratov Oblast.
Despite the potential impact, concerns are emerging regarding the availability of sufficient Tomahawk missiles for sustained Ukrainian use. Production currently ranges from 55 to 90 missiles annually, with 57 already earmarked for purchase by the U.S. Department of Defense. Reuters reports that U.S. military officials are questioning whether current stockpiles are adequate to meet potential Ukrainian demand.
Vuka Vuksanovic, a researcher at the London School of Economics’ IDEAS think tank, cautioned that limited supply may prevent the Tomahawk from fundamentally altering the course of the war. “Considering the limited quantity of Tomahawks, the possibility of supplying them to ukraine is also low,” she stated.
The situation is further complicated by international demand for the missiles. Japan, for exmaple, recently signed a contract to acquire 400 Tomahawk missiles – 200 with a range of 1,600 km and 200 with a range of 2,500 km – and has begun modifying its Kongo-class destroyer Chokai for deployment, with training scheduled to conclude in September 2024. Japan plans to equip eight existing Aegis destroyers and two new vessels with the Tomahawk system.
