Trump is ready to send long-range Tomahawk robots to Ukraine.
Experts describe the feature as potentially decisive for Ukrainian part.
“It would give Ukraine capacity to hit goals from the air with significantly greater force than before,” defense expert Federico Borsari told Kyiv Independent.
In 2018, the United States attacked Syria with Tomahawk robots following reports that Syria used mustard gas against its own population.
Photo: Lt. JG Matthew Daniels / AP TT News Agency
Vladimir Putin
Photo: Mikhail Metzel / AP TT News Agency
Volodymyr Zelenskyj och Donald Trump.
Photo: Joshua Sukoff / TT News Agency
The reversal from Trump around military support to Ukraine came as a shock to many a week.
During a meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte in the White House, Trump announced that several Patriot systems will be sent to Ukraine.
But that’s not everything.
The Washington Post reports that Trump is also ready to send Tomahawk robots-something Ukraine has not had before.
“Tomahawk robots would undoubtedly be a big boost for Ukraine’s military capacity, especially with regard to long distance range,” Federico Borsari, defense expert, told Kyiv Independent.
Tomahawk robot
Table of Contents
Name: BGM-109 Tomahawk
Typ: Cruise robot (long distance, ground target)
Developer: USA (Raytheon Technologies)
Train in use: 1983
Scope:
– Standard: ca 1 600 km
– Newer versions: up to 2,500 km
Fart: About 880 km/h (subsonic, ie below the speed of the sound)
Explosive charge: Up to 450 kg conventional high -explosive battle tip
Cost per robot: Between $ 2 and $ 4 million
Use: Has been used in the wars in Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yugoslavia
Advantages: High precision, long range, difficult to detect due to low altitude
Source: US Department of Defense (Pentagon)
SEK 40 million – piece
Tomahawk is one of the US defense’s heaviest offensive weapons. The first version came already in the 1970s, but has been updated several times since then.
The robot has a range of up to 2,500 kilometers and has the capacity to wear nuclear weapons – something the United States has tested. It can be fired from the air, the ground, warships and submarines and can hit a target within a radius of just over 20 meters.
The first time Tomahawk was sharply used was during the Kuwait war in 1991.
Foto: CNP / POLARIS JJ ARNOLD
The first time Tomahawk was sharply used was during the Kuwait war in 1991.
– Right now I would say that it is the main tool for the United States to hit ground goals at a very long distance, says Borsari.
The robot can fly at low altitude and thus avoid several types of radar systems.
“500 kilos in a robot can make a big difference”
Ukraine’s ability to both attack and defend themselves from the air is weak compared to Russia.
Instead, Ukraine has relied on civilian drones equipped with explosive charges.
“Drones cause injuries – they can fly through windows at defense factories deep inside Russia’s rear areas,” Ivan Stupak, former Ukrainian intelligence officer, told Kyiv Independent.
– But let’s be honest – 50 kilos of explosive is only 50 kilos. 500 kilos in a missile, on the other hand, can make a difference.
Tomahawk robots in use during the US war against the Islamic State in 2014.
Photo: Declan Barnes / Digital
Tomahawk robots in use during the US war against the Islamic State in 2014.
Photo: Eric Garst / Digital
Tomahawk robot during a test 2020.
Foto: Ensign Sean Ianno / Digital
Can meet Moscow
The former robots sent to Ukraine – Gmlrs, Storm Shadow and Atacms – have none of them capacity to reach Moscow.
However, it has Tomahawk – and that with rage.
However, the difficulties are how they should be fired, as the Tomahawk system requires a solid firing platform.
However, Germany seems to be able to help, according to the country’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
“Ukraine will be in a much better position and use these systems, and get our support for these systems in the coming weeks and months,” Merz said earlier this week.
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