US contractors to assist Ukraine if Tomahawk missile supply is approved – FT

If the United States approves the delivery of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, they are expected to arrive relatively quickly, with US contractors providing support in their use.

Source: Financial Times, citing a senior western military official involved in the discussions

Details: The arrangement would remove the need for lengthy training of Ukrainian personnel and allow Washington to retain control over target selection and other operational decisions. It would also reduce the risk of missile technology falling into Russian hands.

NATO officials believe that Tomahawk missiles would "complement what Ukraine has already been achieving" using its long-range drones but would not replace them.

A senior NATO representative said that Moscow is likely to respond with "irresponsible rhetoric that includes a little bit of nuclear sabre-rattling", as well as intensified attacks along the front line and "some larger strikes" inside Ukraine.

Quote from the NATO official: "But I don't think that there is a very concrete, specific response that the Russians could execute here that would really be something that was not well anticipated."

Background: It was reported earlier that the United States could supply between 20 and 50 Tomahawk missiles. One of the reasons for this limited number is that the Pentagon bought only 200 of them in 2022 and has already expended more than 120 of them.

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