Trump explains main obstacle to supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump commented on the potential transfer of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, emphasizing that their deployment would require considerable time and that the use of such systems remains limited, according to the Clash Report.
According to Trump, the main obstacle to transferring Tomahawk missiles is the long training required. He said an operator needs at least six months, and on average around a year, to master the missile.
Training includes learning the control systems, practising target-designation procedures, simulator work, and comprehensive joint exercises. That preparation makes rapid deliveries of the weapon to Ukraine extremely difficult.
What is known about Tomahawk missiles
Tomahawk is a family of US subsonic, precision-guided cruise missiles used for both strategic and tactical missions. They can be launched from submarines, surface ships, and land platforms. The missiles can fly at very low altitudes, following terrain to reduce detection.
Stacey Pettijohn, director of the defense program at the Center for a New American Security, has estimated that the US could transfer only about 20–50 Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. Such deliveries are unlikely to change the course of the fighting: long-range missiles could supplement Ukraine’s drone and other cruise-missile capabilities, but their limited numbers and overall potential mean they would not enable sustained deep strikes into Russian territory.
Ukraine has welcomed signals from the United States about a possible Tomahawk transfer; details of their potential use are currently being worked out by joint teams from the two countries.
