Tomahawk Missiles | 17 Oct 2025

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

The U.S. President has indicated that Washington may consider supplying long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine if Russia does not undertake credible measures to de-escalate the ongoing conflict. 

What are Tomahawk Missiles? 

  • About: The Tomahawk is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile. It can be launched from ships and submarines for precision strikes on high-value or heavily defended targets. 
    • The missile’s low-altitude flight path and advanced guidance systems allow it to evade radar and navigate complex terrain. 
  • Propulsion: The missile fires a solid propellant at launch, then runs on a turbofan that emits minimal heat, so it’s hard to spot with infrared sensors. 
  • Guidance Systems: Uses GPS, Inertial Navigation System (INS), TERCOM (terrain mapping), and DSMAC (digital scene matching) for high precision. 
    • Modern variants allow mid-flight reprogramming, enabling real-time target adjustments or mission aborts.

What is the Difference Between a Cruise Missile and a Ballistic Missile?

Parameter 

Cruise Missile 

Ballistic Missile 

 

Trajectory 

Follows a comparatively straight and controlled trajectory. 

Travels in a projectile path; trajectory depends on gravity, air resistance, and Coriolis Force. 

 

Flight Path 

Remains within the Earth’s atmosphere throughout its flight. 

Leaves the Earth’s atmosphere and re-enters it. 

 

Range 

Short-range missile 

Long-range missile 

 

Indian Examples 

BrahMos, Nirbhay, LRLACM 

Prithvi I & II, Agni series, Dhanush. Shaurya, K-15 (Sagarika), K-4 (Submarine-launched). 

 

Global Examples 

Tomahawk (USA), Kalibr (Russia), CJ-10 (China), Babur (Pakistan). 

Minuteman III (USA), DF-41 (China), RS-24 Yars (Russia), Shaheen-II (Pakistan). 

Frequently Asked Questions  

1. What are Tomahawk missiles and who uses them? 
Long-range, subsonic cruise missiles used by US, UK, Australia; launched from ships/submarines for precision strikes on high-value targets. 

2. What are the key features of cruise missiles? 
Fly within the atmosphere, guided, subsonic or supersonic, powered throughout, highly accurate, range up to ~2,000 km, carry conventional or nuclear warheads. 

3. What are the key features of ballistic missiles?  
Follow a parabolic trajectory, exit and re-enter the atmosphere, long-range (300–12,000 km), less accurately, carry conventional or nuclear warheads. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Q. Consider the following statements : (2023)

  1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocketpowered only in the initial phase of flights. 
  2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 only 

(c) Both 1 and 2 

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation: (d)

Q. What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (2018)

(a) An Israeli radar system  

(b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme  

(c) An American anti-missile system  

(d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea.

Ans: (c)