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US Retires Tomahawk Launchers—Could Ukraine Be the Next Owner?
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
The possibility of Ukraine receiving Tomahawk cruise missiles has reemerged after US Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed that the White House is considering the issue.
According to Defense Express on September 29, Washington’s changing position toward Russia and recent shifts in US military planning could make the transfer more realistic.
The discussion is focused not only on the missiles themselves but also on the systems required to launch them. Traditionally, Tomahawks are ship- or submarine-launched, and they cannot be fired from aircraft. This leaves ground-based launchers as the only viable option.
Defense Express reports that the US Marine Corps recently decided to retire its Long Range Fires (LRF) launchers for Tomahawk missiles. The reason for the withdrawal was poor mobility on soft terrain, which limited their usefulness during amphibious operations.
The LRF is a remotely operated launcher mounted on a JLTV chassis. While the Marines intend to retain the platform for use in other systems such as NMESIS with Naval Strike Missiles, the Tomahawk-specific launch components could be repurposed.
According to Defense Express, these systems could be installed on other wheeled vehicles more suitable for Ukraine’s operating environment.
As of mid-2025, the Marine Corps had between four and eight LRF units in service and had planned to expand the fleet to 56 by 2028. However, withdrawal is now scheduled for the 2026 fiscal year, which begins in the US on October 1, 2025.
Even if a political decision is made to provide Tomahawks, Ukraine is unlikely to receive them as direct aid. Instead, Defense Express notes that the purchase would likely follow the PURL mechanism, where European partners and Canada buy weapons for Ukraine through a classified and expedited process.
Germany has already expressed interest in the Typhon ground-based Tomahawk system, but only two US units currently operate it, both focused on the Pacific. Lockheed Martin is also promoting the Mk 70 launcher in Europe, but production and delivery timelines remain long.
In contrast, the surplus LRF launchers offer an immediate solution. If Washington approves the missile transfer, the availability of launch platforms would no longer be a major obstacle.
Earlier, during a public appearance on September 28, US Vice President J.D. Vance stated that Russia must “wake up and accept reality,” citing high casualties and little progress in the war against Ukraine, Politico reported.
He also said the decision on whether to transfer Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would rest with President Trump, emphasizing that “the president will do what’s in the best interest of the United States.”
