Exploring the Role of Tomahawk Missiles in the Ukraine Conflict: What You Need to Know

WASHINGTON – Since its introduction in the 1980s, the Tomahawk cruise missile has been a mainstay in the U.S. military’s arsenal. Despite being slower than some modern missiles, its ability to fly just 100 feet above the ground makes it elusive to many defense systems.

With a remarkable range of approximately 1,000 miles and equipped with precision guidance, the Tomahawk is ideal for targeting locations deep within enemy territory. Recently, President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of supplying Ukraine with these missiles, potentially altering the dynamics in Kyiv’s ongoing conflict with Moscow.

According to estimates from The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington, the U.S. Navy had an inventory of about 4,000 Tomahawk missiles as of 2023. However, this number doesn’t reflect the usage during significant operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

During these confrontations, the Navy’s Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group reportedly launched 135 Tomahawk missiles in defense and counteroffensive actions. This number likely increased after the group’s return in the summer of 2024, following President Trump’s directive for an extensive strike campaign in the spring of 2025.

Despite their effectiveness, new purchases of Tomahawk missiles by the U.S. Navy have been limited. In 2023, only 68 new missiles were acquired by the Navy and Marine Corps combined. Recent budget documents indicate that no further purchases were made by the Navy, and the Marine Corps only procured 22 additional missiles last year. Neither branch has requested to purchase more in the latest budget cycle.

Aside from dwindling stocks, several defense officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to more candidly discuss military policy also expressed skepticism about offering the missile to Ukraine because of questions about how it would be employed.

While the United States launched Tomahawk missiles almost exclusively from ships or submarines, Ukraine doesn’t possess a Navy with ships capable of carrying the 20-foot-long missile. The U.S. Army has been developing a platform to launch the missile from the ground, but one official said that the capability was still far from ready, even for U.S. forces.