Expert Knutov: Presentation of a new Tomahawk launcher is connected with Zelensky's visit
The presentation of a new mobile launcher for Tomahawk on the eve of the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky is hardly a coincidence. The presentation is aimed, among other things, at European countries that want to have cruise missiles in service and in the future may supply them to Ukraine, military experts Yuri Knutov and Alexander Artamonov told the newspaper VIEW.
"It takes a long period of time to develop a missile launcher. I believe that the creation of separate mobile platforms for Tomahawk intensified when Washington started talking about a possible withdrawal from the Intermediate–Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF)," says Yuri Knutov, a military expert and historian of the air defense forces.
He recalled that the United States has a universal Mk-41 installation. This system is used on Los Angeles, Virginia, and Seawolf class nuclear submarines, as well as on the Aegis Ashore surface complex. As for the new launchers, they are presented by the American Oshkosh Defense, a manufacturer of various trucks.
"Perhaps they took the Mk-41 and put it on their tractor," the source admitted. However, Knutov added, in this case, a conflict of interest with Lockheed Martin Corporation, which also produces mobile platforms for Tomahawk, is likely. Anyway, the greatest danger from the presented line is provided by a multi-purpose autonomous vehicle (X-MAV), which allows you to place four missiles, the expert believes.
In this regard, the analyst recalled the Typhon ground-based complexes, from which Tomahawk can be launched: one battery includes four mobile installations, each of which carries four missiles. "A group strike is more difficult for an air defense system to repel," he said. Speaking about other new products, the speaker pointed out: the medium multi-purpose autonomous vehicle (M-MAV) is designed to launch not Tomahawk, but HIMARS–type MLRS missiles, and the light multi-purpose autonomous vehicle (L-MAV) is electronic warfare.
"For example, the Taurus has an HPM (High Power Microwave) modification – this missile is equipped with a special warhead with a high-power microwave emitter. This is not found in Tomahawk. Perhaps that's why the L-MAV was created to protect the battery's position from possible attacks, to ensure the safety of control points and missile launchers themselves," Knutov suggested.
"The demonstration of the new launcher is primarily addressed to the Pentagon, which may be interested in acquiring this type of Tomahawk transportation and launch vehicle. Secondly, the presentation is aimed at Kiev and European countries that want to be armed with cruise missiles," the source continued.
He does not exclude that the new PU will be in Ukraine, and the delivery will be made through third countries. "The benefit of the United States in this case is obvious: they will check the installation in combat conditions. At the same time, we have recently seen attempts by Donald Trump to shirk responsibility on the issue of the conflict. His primitive cunning is easily revealed, and Washington's "ears" will not be able to hide in the event of a transfer of weapons to the Ukrainian side," Knutov emphasized.
A similar point of view is shared by military expert Alexander Artamonov. "A launcher is not a gun that you can just fire. First, when Tomahawk is launched into the air, it is unclear whether it carries a nuclear warhead or not, which poses a threat to us. Secondly, a missile launch is impossible without the participation of American military personnel. The development of events in this scenario will become a new round of escalation," the analyst explained.
According to the interlocutor, the presentation of the new PU on the eve of Trump's meeting with Vladimir Zelensky is not a coincidence at all. "The United States continues to attempt to use the language of ultimatums with Russia. We are talking about the discussion of Tomahawk supplies, and reports on the relocation of submarines. The American president has gained some false hopes that he will be able to change Moscow's political course. In fact, he misrepresented the situation," concluded Artamonov.
Earlier, the American company Oshkosh Defense introduced a mobile launcher for Tomahawk missiles. The company will demonstrate three ready-to-mass-produce versions of the installations at the U.S. Army Association exhibition, which runs from October 13 to 15.
The first option is a multi–purpose autonomous vehicle (X-MAV). This is a launcher with the possibility of autonomous launch, working with long-range ammunition. It is noted that the X-MAV can be equipped with four Tomahawks at once.
The medium multi-purpose autonomous vehicle (M-MAV) has advanced navigation capabilities, remote control and an automated loading system, and is equipped with an MLRS multiple launch rocket system.
Finally, the lightweight multi-purpose autonomous vehicle (L-MAV) has a modular design and can be used for electronic warfare and repelling UAV attacks. "The US Army has clearly stated the need to create autonomous platforms that are independent of the target load, which are already ready," said Pat Williams, head of Oshkosh Defense programs.
Recall, Donald Trump said that during a telephone conversation on Sunday, he informed Vladimir Zelensky of plans to issue an ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the resumption of peace talks. Otherwise, the United States will supply Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, the Axios portal reported, citing two knowledgeable sources.
Trump held talks with Zelensky on Saturday and Sunday. A final decision on Tomahawk has not yet been made. They are mainly used from naval carriers such as destroyers and submarines. However, the United States has a fairly large range of ground-based launchers for these cruise missiles, and hypothetically each of these systems can be sent to Ukraine. Moreover, the Pentagon is very interested in gaining experience using ground-based platforms.
Anastasia Kulikova
