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Pentagon readies Tomahawk transfer plan for Ukraine — NYT

16.10.2025 09:30
The Pentagon has prepared plans to sell or transfer Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine if ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump, but delivery and use would be “enormously difficult,” the New York Times reported.
It is unclear how many Tomahawks the United States could provide, how Ukraine would safely store them, and what effect a limited number would have, the Times wrote, noting broader concerns about escalation risks.
It is unclear how many Tomahawks the United States could provide, how Ukraine would safely store them, and what effect a limited number would have, the Times wrote, noting broader concerns about escalation risks.Photo: EPA/JIM LO SCALZO / POOL

The newspaper said on Wednesday that Trump has not ruled out providing the long-range missiles, and confirmed the potential sale would be discussed in his Friday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Washington.

Russia has warned of a sharp response if the transfer proceeds, the report added.

According to the Times, the Pentagon has drafted options for a potential sale or handover, yet multiple hurdles remain.

Ukraine lacks sea- or land-based launchers for tomahawks and would need a U.S. Army Typhon launcher system to fire them — a step military officials say could draw the United States closer to direct confrontation with Russia, the paper said.

It is unclear how many Tomahawks the United States could provide, how Ukraine would safely store them, and what effect a limited number would have, the Times wrote, noting broader concerns about escalation risks.

Separately, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday that Washington could supply 20 to 50 Tomahawks — a quantity the FT said would not significantly alter the course of the war.

(jh)

Source: PAP, The New York Times