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Ukraine Needs American Tomahawks for Strikes on 12 Key Russian Missile Plants, Defense Express Report

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Ivan_khomenko
Ivan Khomenko
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Ukraine Needs American Tomahawks for Strikes on 12 Key Russian Missile Plants, Defense Express Report
Tomahawk test launch from a ground launcher. (Source: Open Source)

In a recent analysis, Defense Express highlights the necessity of employing Tomahawk missiles to target twelve pivotal missile manufacturing plants in Russia, situated between 500 and 1500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. This strategic move aims to paralyze Russia’s missile production capabilities and is aligned with Ukraine’s broader Victory Plan.

According to The New York Times, Ukraine has requested Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States. These missiles possess a significantly greater range than the operational-tactical ATACMS, allowing for strikes deep into Russian territory.

However, Defense Express suggested that the request likely pertained to land-based Tomahawks, which are employed by the US Army as part of the medium-range Typhon systems.

The Jamestown Foundation has corroborated this by detailing the locations of the twelve key Russian facilities essential to their missile industry. Notably, these include:

- MKB “Raduga,” responsible for assembling Kh-101 cruise missiles.

- NPO Mashinostroenia, which manufactures P-800 and Zircon missiles.

- Votkinsk Plant, known for producing the 9M723 ballistic missiles used in the Iskander missile system, as well as components for the Soviet-era Tochka-U systems.

- NPK KB Mashinostroenia, also involved in the production of Iskander ballistic missiles.

While the US Army currently operates only two Typhon battery systems, each with four launchers capable of deploying Tomahawks, the potential for ground-based launch platforms exists. The Typhon system utilizes the Mark 41 universal launch system, typically found on US Navy vessels, for land-based operations.

A guided-missile destroyer, the USS Porter, launches a Tomahawk land-attack missile on April 7, 2017. (Source: Getty Images)
A guided-missile destroyer, the USS Porter, launches a Tomahawk land-attack missile on April 7, 2017. (Source: Getty Images)

Defense Express notes that long-range rocket drones would likely be insufficient for such targeted strikes. Instead, the precision and range of Tomahawk missiles make them an ideal choice for this mission.

The analysis also reflects on the challenges of developing a domestic medium-range ballistic missile. While some experts suggest that Ukraine should pursue its own liquid-fueled missile program, the reality is that such development would take years, even under optimal conditions.

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