Ukraine, continuing its war with Russia, requested long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States. However, following a bilateral meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the delivery would not be approved for the time being, signaling a cautious approach in U.S. military support.

Trump Comments on Tomahawk Supply

Trump told Zelensky, “For now, we are not considering providing Tomahawk missiles.” He added, “We need our Tomahawks as well. They are vital, powerful, and precise. We cannot deplete our national stockpiles.” This statement highlights Washington’s careful stance on supplying advanced weaponry to Ukraine.

What Are Tomahawk Missiles?

U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles are long-range cruise missiles capable of altering the course of a battle. Depending on the model, they can reach targets up to 2,500 kilometers away, including deep inside Russian territory.

Equipped with a 450-kilogram warhead, Tomahawks are difficult to detect by enemy air defense systems. They can be launched from land, air, or sea, and mid-flight course adjustments allow them to change targets, adding complexity for adversaries.

Historical Usage

Tomahawk development began in the early 1970s, and they entered U.S. military service in the early 1980s. They were first used in the 1991 Gulf War, where out of 297 launches, 242 successfully hit their targets.

The missiles were later deployed in Iraq (1993 and 1996), Bosnia-Herzegovina (1995), and most recently in Middle East operations where the U.S. targeted Iranian nuclear sites.

Cost and Export

In the 1990s, a single Tomahawk missile cost around $1.4 million, rising to roughly $2 million today U.S.-made Tomahawks have only been sold to the United Kingdom so far. Supplying them to Ukraine would make it the third country to possess these advanced missiles.