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Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
5 facts about Tomahawk missiles used by US in strike against Iran
Tomahawk missiles played a central role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the US military operation that targeted Iran's main nuclear facilities over the weekend. On Saturday, June 22, the United States launched 30 Tomahawk missiles alongside six 30,000-pound 'bunker buster' bombs to strike nuclear sites in Iran, including the Fordo facility. The attack came as part of the US helping Israel in its conflict with Iran to destroy Tehran's nuclear facilities. The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile developed by the US Navy. According to a report by Fox News, the missiles were fired from US Navy submarines located 400 miles away. The operation marked the latest major use of Tomahawk cruise missiles by the US, which were previously deployed in Syria under Trump's presidency in 2017. Also read: Iran Israel war news LIVE updates: US says Iran strikes were 'intentionally limited' and 'not open-ended' Here are five key facts about Tomahawk missiles: 1. Tomahawks are sea-launched long-range missiles The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile developed by the US Navy. It is launched from ships or submarines through a Vertical Launch System and used for precision strikes on land-based targets. 2. Designed for stealth and accuracy Tomahawks can fly at low altitudes, avoiding radar detection, and are guided by advanced GPS, inertial navigation, and terrain contour mapping. This makes them highly accurate-with a margin of error of just 10 meters. They are built to follow a non-linear path, reducing the chance of interception. 3. First used during the Gulf War Tomahawks were first deployed in combat during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Since then, they have been used in several major conflicts, including strikes in Syria in 2017. 4. Capable of long-distance attacks These missiles have a range between 1,000 and 1,500 miles (1,550 to 2,500 km). In the Iran strike, they were launched from submarines located approximately 400 miles away from the target sites. 5. Each missile costs around $2 million Tomahawks measure 18.3 feet in length and weigh about 3,200 pounds (4,400 with booster). They carry a 1,000-pound conventional warhead or cluster munitions. Iran has condemned the US action as 'savage military aggression' against peaceful nuclear facilities. FAQs What is a Tomahawk missile? The Tomahawk is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile developed by the US Navy, designed for precise land attacks from ships and submarines. How far can a Tomahawk missile travel? Tomahawk missiles have a range of approximately 1,000 to 1,500 miles (1,550 to 2,500 km), depending on the variant. How are Tomahawk missiles launched? They are launched from US Navy surface ships or submarines using the Vertical Launch System (VLS). How much does one Tomahawk missile cost? Each Tomahawk missile reportedly costs around $2 million.
India Gazette
10 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Hope it will lead to a better future for Middle East": Israeli President thanks US after "precision" strikes in Iran
Tel Aviv [Israel], June 22 (ANI): Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday, thanked US President Donald Trump for the 'brave step' taken by the United States of America in conducting strikes on three nuclear sites of Iran. Herzog said that the strikes show how the principles of 'liberty, responsibility and security' have triumphed, with the American action resulting as a brave step towards the security and safety of the world. He expressed hope that the action would help fasten the release of Israeli hostages and lead to a better future in West Asia. Herzog wrote on X, 'In the pages of human history, this is a moment when the principles of liberty, responsibility, and security have triumphed. A decisive moment between the axis of terror and evil and the axis of hope. Thank you, @POTUS @realDonaldTrump. Thank you, United States of America. This brave step serves the security and safety of the entire free world. I hope it will lead to a better future for the Middle East -- and help advance the urgent release of our hostages held in captivity in Gaza.' \ His remarks follow after Trump announced that United States conducted 'massive precision strikes' on the three key nuclear facilities in Iran- Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan. Trump also threatened of retaliation if peace is not achieved soon in Iran. The Embassy of Iran in India acknowledged that the sites had been hit and called it 'savage aggression--an act in violation of international laws', stressing particularly on the NPT. It further accused the the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of indifference and complicity and said that it expects the international community to condemn these actions. As per a report in the CNN citing a US official, the US used six B-2 bombers to drop a dozen 'bunker buster' bombs on the Fordow nuclear site. Navy submarines fired 30 TLAM cruise missiles at two other sites, Natanz and Isfahan, and a B2 dropped two bunker busters on Natanz. The underground site at Fordow and the larger Natanz plant were Iran's two primary uranium enrichment facilities, out of which Natanz had already been hit by Israel with smaller weapons earlier in the week, the New York Times reported. The conflict between Israel and Iran entered its ninth day on Saturday, with the US now joining in support of Israel. The conflict started after Israel, on June 13, launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, dubbed 'Operation Rising Lion.' In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a large-scale drone and missile operation, 'Operation True Promise 3', targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres. (ANI)
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Business Standard
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
After Iran strikes, Trump warns of more action if 'peace not achieved soon'
US President Donald Trump has threatened Iran of further military action if peace is not achieved in the region. He made the remarks in his first public statement since the "precision" strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities--Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan by the US on Saturday (US local time). In his address from the White House, Trump said, "Remember, there are many targets left. Tonight was the most difficult of them all by far and perhaps the most lethal. But if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill." Stating that the other sites can be taken out in "a matter of minutes", Trump praised the military prowess of America in his speech. "Most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes. There's no military in the world that couldn've done what we did tonight, not even close. There has never been a military that can do what took place just a little while ago." Trump announced that Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force General Dan Caine will hold a press conference on Sunday (US local time) at the Pentagon. Trump thanked the "military minds" involved in the attack." I want to thank the Israeli military for the wonderful job they've done and most importantly I want to congratulate great American patriots who flew those magnificent machines tonight, and all of the United States' military on an operation the likes of which the world has not seen in many, many decades. Hopefully we will no longer need their services in this capacity. I hope that so." Trump's announcement comes just two days after he said that he had opened a two-week window for diplomacy. Hours ahead of his remarks, the US President took to his Truth Social platform to state that the US had bombed the three Iranian nuclear facilities and in his address from the White House on Saturday night (local time), Trump said those facilities "have been completely and totally obliterated" thereby meeting the objective to stop the "nuclear threat". In his concluding remarks, Trump said, "I want to thank everybody and in particular god, I just want to say, we love you god and we love our great military, protect them. God bless the Middle East, god blesses you and God bless America." As per a report in the CNN which cited a US official, the US used six B-2 bombers to drop a dozen "bunker buster" bombs on the Fordow nuclear site. Navy submarines fired 30 TLAM cruise missiles at two other sites, Natanz and Isfahan, and a B2 dropped two bunker busters on Natanz, the official said. The underground site at Fordow and the larger Natanz plant were Iran's two primary uranium enrichment facilities, out of which Natanz had already been hit by Israel with smaller weapons earlier in the week, the New York Times reported. The conflict between Israel and Iran entered its ninth day on Saturday, with the US now joining in support of Israel. The conflict started after Israel, on June 13, launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion." In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a large-scale drone and missile operation, 'Operation True Promise 3', targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres.
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
What is Tomahawk missile? US's primary weapon behind bombing of Iran's nuclear sites
President Donald Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity that the US 'completely obliterated' Iran's Fordow nuclear site with six massive 30,000-pound 'bunker buster' bombs and used 30 Tomahawk missiles, launched from US submarines 400 miles away, to hit two other facilities. The president revealed details soon after announcing on Truth Social that the US had conducted strikes in Iran amid its conflict with Israel. US used Tomahawk missiles to strike Iran on Saturday(Unsplash) The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile developed by the US Navy for precision strikes against land and sea targets. First used in combat during the 1991 Gulf War, it is launched from surface ships and submarines via the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System. The missile reportedly costs about $2 million each and measures 18.3 feet long, weighs 3,200 pounds (4,400 with booster), and carries a 1,000-pound conventional warhead or cluster munitions. It travels at 550 mph (Mach 0.74), with a range of 1,550–2,500 kilometers (1,000–1,500 miles), guided by GPS, inertial navigation, and terrain contour matching for accuracy within 10 meters. Read More: Iran's Fordo was 'evacuated', damages are 'not irreversible': First details after US strikes on nuclear sites Trump thanks Netanyahu President Trump said he worked 'as a team' with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strike Iran in an address hours after the bombings. Speaking about a threat of future strikes, the 78-year-old said: 'If they do not, future attacks would be far greater and a lot easier." 'For 40 years Iran has been saying death to America, death to Israel,' Trump said. 'They have been killing our people, blowing off their arms, blowing off their legs with roadside bombs.' Read More: Will Iran retaliate against US strikes on nuclear sites? Here's what experts say amid World War fears 'I want to thank and congratulate Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. We worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before, and we've gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel. I want to thank the Israeli military for the wonderful job they've done. And most importantly, I want to congratulate the great American patriots who flew those magnificent machines tonight, and all of the United States military on an operation the likes of which the world has not seen in many, many decades,' he added.
Newsweek
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Russia's Kalibr Missile vs. US Tomahawk: Which Comes Out on Top?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Russia continues to project power with its Kalibr cruise missile systems, maintaining missile-equipped warships in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean. In response to the latest Russian drone and missile attacks in the ongoing war with Ukraine, Odesa lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of waging war on civilians, describing the strikes as "terrorist tactics." Goncharenko told Newsweek that more than 20 drones hit Odesa in a single night, killing two people and damaging homes, a post office and a school—adding that in some buildings, "an entire floor was blown away." Ukrainian authorities also reported fresh Kalibr threats coming from Russia's Black Sea fleet. Russia has made extensive use of the Kalibrs to hit targets in southern and eastern Ukraine since the war began on February 24, 2022. Meanwhile, the U.S. has expanded its Tomahawk missile deployments across the Indo-Pacific, bringing the strategic role of sea-launched cruise missiles into focus. But how does the Kalibr compare to the United States' flagship cruise missile, the Tomahawk? Here's a breakdown of both systems. A Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) launches from the guided missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71). A Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) launches from the guided missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71). Intelligence Specialist 1st Kenneth Moll/U.S. Navy via AP, File Range The range of cruise missiles can vary based on launch conditions, altitude and flight profile. The 3M-14 Kalibr, the land-attack version of Russia's Kalibr missile family, has an estimated range of 930 to 1,500 miles. The U.S. Navy's Tomahawk Block IV and Block V variants feature a range of about 1,000 miles. While not as long-ranged as some Kalibr variants, Tomahawks benefit from real-time retargeting, which means it can detect, identify and strike a target almost immediately after it is located, often within minutes or seconds, using live or near-instantaneous data from sensors or reconnaissance systems. U.S. Tomahawk Missile Deployment The United States deploys Tomahawk cruise missiles primarily through its Ohio-class guided-missile submarines, such as the USS Michigan. These submarines are capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk missiles and have been observed operating in strategic locations like the Western Pacific, including Guam. Additionally, U.S. Navy destroyers and cruisers equipped with vertical launch systems can deploy Tomahawks, extending their reach across various theaters. The U.S. has also been enhancing its missile capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, with plans to deploy land-based Tomahawk missiles in areas such as Japan. Given the Tomahawk cruise missile's range of roughly 1,000 miles, U.S. deployments allow it to strike targets across East Asia—including parts of China, North Korea and Russia's Far East—as well as regions in the Middle East and Europe, depending on the positioning of naval launch platforms such as submarines or surface ships. Inland penetration deep into central China and Russia would exceed the missile's range without closer deployment. Russia's Kalibr Missile Deployment Russia has been actively deploying its Kalibr cruise missiles across various naval platforms. Notably, the Russian Navy has positioned Kalibr-equipped vessels in the Mediterranean, enhancing its strategic presence in the region. Further, Russian submarines, such as the Krasnoyarsk, have conducted Kalibr missile launches during exercises in the Pacific, demonstrating the missile's operational versatility. The Kalibr missile, with a range of up to 1,500 miles, allows Russia to project power across vast distances. From the Mediterranean, Kalibr missiles can reach targets throughout the Middle East and parts of Europe. Deployments in the Pacific enable coverage of areas in East Asia, including Japan and the Korean Peninsula. Additionally, Russia's Black Sea Fleet, equipped with Kalibr missiles, poses a strategic threat to regions in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. The deployments underscore Russia's intent to maintain a robust and flexible long-range strike capability across multiple theaters. Long-range Kalibr cruise missiles launched by a Russian military ship from an unknown location. Long-range Kalibr cruise missiles launched by a Russian military ship from an unknown location. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP, File Speed Kalibr flies at subsonic speeds (Mach 0.8) for most of its flight but can reportedly accelerate to Mach 2.5–3.0 in terminal phase for certain anti-ship variants. The Tomahawk is a consistent subsonic missile (Mach 0.74), designed for stealth and terrain-hugging flight. Its steady pace allows for long loiter times and precise navigation, but it lacks a terminal speed boost. Accuracy Kalibr uses GLONASS satellite navigation and inertial guidance, with claimed precision in Syria and Ukraine. While official CEP (circular error probable) data is unavailable, open-source assessments suggest it is accurate within a few meters. Tomahawk employs GPS, TERCOM (terrain contour matching), and DSMAC (digital scene-matching) for high precision. According to the U.S. Navy, its CEP is under 10 meters, with decades of proven accuracy in Iraq, Syria and Libya. Power Both missiles carry a 450 kg high-explosive warhead. Kalibr variants are reportedly nuclear-capable, a fact referenced in strategic deterrence exercises like the recent Barents Sea launch. The Tomahawk formerly had a nuclear version (TLAM-N), but the U.S. retired it in the 2000s. Current variants are conventionally armed only. A Russian submarine launches several 3M-54 Kalibr (Klub) anti-ship missiles, for the first time from under water, on December 9, 2015. A Russian submarine launches several 3M-54 Kalibr (Klub) anti-ship missiles, for the first time from under water, on December 9, 2015. Russian Federation via AP Combat History Kalibr was first used operationally by Russia in 2015 in Syria, launched from the Caspian Sea. It has since been used in Ukraine, with Russia claiming precision strikes on infrastructure targets. Tomahawk's combat record dates to Operation Desert Storm (1991). It has been used in more than 2,000 strikes, including in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria (U.S. Navy). Launch Platforms Kalibr is versatile, launched from ships, submarines and possibly ground-based mobile launchers (as seen in Kaliningrad). Russia has emphasized the modularity of its vertical launch systems. Tomahawk is also highly flexible, launched from U.S. Navy destroyers, cruisers and submarines, with integration into NATO allies' fleets underway. Both missiles offer multi-platform flexibility, with Kalibr edging ahead in strategic surprise deployments. Overall While the Kalibr impresses with speed and range, the Tomahawk wins in battlefield track record and accuracy. Both missiles are formidable.
