For decades, combat aircraft have been the cornerstone of long-range strike capabilities. However, a growing number of nations are now investing in long-range land-attack missiles to boost their military arsenals.
The United States, leading this strategic shift, dominates global exports in this category, accounting for 45% of total sales for missiles exceeding a 250-kilometer range.
Between 2020 and 2024, the U.S. supplied long-range land-attack missiles to seven countries, with pending deliveries to thirteen more, according to a recent Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report published on March 10.
Among combat aircraft, the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon remains the most widely exported American fighter jet, followed closely by the F-35 Lightning II.
Even though it is a fourth-generation aircraft, the F-16 is still maintaining its dominant position in the combat aircraft market. Many countries in Asia and Europe, including Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Jordan, South Korea, and Taiwan, have ordered F-16s.
Most countries are upgrading their existing F-16 fleet to the Viper standard. For instance, Taiwan has placed an order for 66 new F-16V Block 70/72 fighter jets from the US and is upgrading 139 of its existing F-16s to the Viper standard.
However, in the realm of long-range land-attack missiles, the Tomahawk cruise missile stands as the most widely exported system.
Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM)
The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a subsonic cruise missile designed for precise land-based target strikes.
Since the 1980s, the Tomahawk has been a cornerstone of the U.S. Navy’s offensive capabilities, primarily launched from ships and submarines. Continuous upgrades have enhanced its accuracy, survivability, and adaptability to modern battlefields.
United Kingdom: The UK has been operating Tomahawk missiles on its attack submarines since the 1990s. The Royal Navy’s Astute-class submarines are equipped with Tomahawk missiles, giving the UK a potent long-range strike capability.
Australia: Joining the ranks of Tomahawk-equipped nations in December 2024, Australia test-fired an RGM-109E Tomahawk from the HMAS Brisbane, marking a milestone in its military modernization. The US$985 million deal includes 220 Tomahawk missiles for use aboard Hobart-class destroyers, with potential integration into future Hunter-class frigates.
Japan: In 2023, the US State Department approved the sale of 400 Tomahawk missiles to Japan in a nearly US$2.4 billion deal, including both Block IV and the latest Block V variants. This acquisition significantly enhances Japan’s long-range strike capability, reflecting its efforts to bolster deterrence amid regional security challenges.
Its potential customers include Australia, Japan, and the U.S. Army & Marine Corps.
In October 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly criticized the White House for leaking classified missile discussions to The New York Times.
Confirming that Ukraine had requested Tomahawk long-range missiles to bolster its fight against Russia. Despite Ukraine’s urgent requests, the U.S. refused to allow Kyiv to strike deep inside Russian territory with Western-supplied weapons, citing concerns over escalating the conflict.
Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS)
The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of up to 300 kilometers. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, ATACMS is launched from the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). Each missile costs approximately US$1.5 million.
In a covert move, the United States secretly supplied ATACMS missiles to Ukraine in March 2024. Ukrainian forces quickly put them to use, launching devastating strikes on Russian military targets, including key bases in Crimea and Berdyansk.
The deployment of ATACMS marked a significant escalation in Ukraine’s ability to conduct long-range, high-precision attacks, adding a new dimension to the battlefield.
ATACMS has undergone several iterations, with each variant offering enhanced capabilities. US and NATO forces continue to rely on ATACMS as a key deterrent and rapid response option in modern military operations.
Several US allies, including Bahrain, Poland, and Romania, have also acquired ATACMS to enhance their military capabilities.
Other Advanced Long-Range Land-Attack Missiles
Beyond the Tomahawk and ATACMS, the United States has developed and exported several advanced long-range land-attack missiles, including the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) and the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), enhancing the strike capabilities of its allies worldwide.
At the core of America’s strategic deterrence is the LGM-30G Minuteman III, the only land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in active U.S. service as of 2024. Since its introduction in 1962, the Minuteman family has remained the backbone of the U.S. land-based nuclear force.
The Minuteman III variant is a three-stage, solid-fueled ICBM with a range exceeding 10,000 km (6,200 miles), capable of delivering multiple warheads globally.
Unlike other missile systems, the LGM-30 Minuteman III has never been exported and remains an exclusive U.S. military asset. It plays a vital role in nuclear deterrence alongside next-generation weapons like the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW).
Additionally, the US has integrated the Naval Strike Missile (NSM)—originally developed by Norway—a compact, sea-launched land-attack cruise missile known for its precision and versatility, further strengthening America’s maritime strike capabilities.
The US Expands Its Global Arms Dominance
The SIPRI report highlights that the U.S. has reinforced its position as the world’s top arms exporter, now accounting for 43% of total global arms sales—more than four times that of France, the second-largest supplier. Between 2015–2019 and 2020–2024, U.S. arms exports surged by 21%, increasing its global market share from 35% to 43%.
“The USA is in a unique position when it comes to arms exports,” said Mathew George, Programme Director of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme. “It remains the supplier of choice for advanced long-range strike capabilities, particularly combat aircraft.”
Over the past four years alone, the U.S. has supplied major weapons systems to 107 countries, demonstrating its vast military-industrial influence. For the first time in two decades, Europe became the largest recipient of U.S. arms (35%), surpassing the Middle East (33%). Despite this shift, Saudi Arabia remained the top single recipient, accounting for 12% of total U.S. arms exports.
Ukraine was the second-largest arms recipient from the US, accounting for 9.3% of total US arms exports. Japan was third, accounting for 8.8 % of US arms exports.
The Future Of Long-Range Strike Capabilities
As global security challenges evolve, long-range land-attack cruise missiles have become a critical component of modern warfare. These precision-strike weapons enable nations to project power, deter adversaries, and achieve strategic objectives with unmatched efficiency. As a result, demand for advanced strike capabilities—from combat aircraft to land-attack missiles—will continue to shape the future of defense partnerships and military strategy worldwide.
The SIPRI report also predicts that in coming years, the US will maintain its dominant position in the arms market for combat aircraft. According to the SIPRI Database of major arms on order or preselected for future orders for delivery after 2024, the US will maintain its absolute dominance of the market for combat aircraft.
As many as 996 fighter aircraft are on order from the US and slated for delivery in the coming years. France remains a distant second with 214 aircraft on order. South Korea is a surprise entrant in this list. It is in third place and has received orders for 140 fighter aircraft. Russia is in fourth place with 71 fighter aircraft on order. China is fast catching up, as it has received orders for 57 fighter aircraft.
The US will also maintain its lead in combat helicopters as it has to deliver 342 combat helicopters to various countries in the coming years. Italy is a distant second with 26 combat helicopters on order.
However, the US is struggling to maintain its lead in other combat systems. For instance, when it comes to major warships like aircraft carriers, corvettes, destroyers, frigates, and submarines, the UK has most pending orders at 29, followed by Germany which has to deliver 26 such orders in the coming years. The US has received only seven orders for warships.
Similarly, Russia has the lead in future orders for Surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). Russia has received orders for over 55 SAM systems, with the US in second place. The US has to fulfill 41 SAM orders in the coming years.
- Shubhangi Palve is a defense and aerospace journalist. Before joining the EurAsian Times, she worked for ET Prime. She has over 15 years of extensive experience in the media industry, spanning print, electronic, and online domains.
- Contact the author at shubhapalve (at) gmail.com
