Cruise missiles are an essential part of the modern military arsenal. They are designed to be launched from ships, submarines, aircraft, or ground vehicles and can fly at low altitudes to evade radar detection.
These missiles can carry conventional or nuclear warheads and have a range of up to several thousand kilometers. But with so many types of cruise missiles available in the market, which is the best one? In this article, we will take a look at some of the most advanced cruise missiles in the world and evaluate them based on their capabilities.
Tomahawk Cruise Missile
The Tomahawk cruise missile is one of the most well-known and widely used cruise missiles in the world. It has been in service since 1983 and has been used extensively by the US military in conflicts like Desert Storm, Iraq War, and Afghanistan War.
The missile has a range of over 1600 km and can travel at subsonic speeds. It can carry a variety of warheads, including high explosive, bunker-busting, and nuclear.
Pros:
- Proven track record of success
- High accuracy
- Can be launched from multiple platforms
Cons:
- Relatively slow speed
- Vulnerable to modern air defense systems
- Expensive compared to other options
BrahMos Cruise Missile
The BrahMos cruise missile is a joint venture between India and Russia. It is named after two rivers – Brahmaputra in India and Moskva in Russia.
The missile has a range of over 290 km and can travel at supersonic speeds (Mach 2.8). It can be launched from multiple platforms, including ships, submarines, aircraft, and ground vehicles. The missile has been in service since 2005 and has been used by the Indian armed forces.
Pros:
- High speed
- Stealth capabilities
- Versatile – can be launched from multiple platforms
Cons:
- Relatively short range compared to other options
- Limited availability – only used by India and Russia
- Expensive compared to other options
KH-101 Cruise Missile
The KH-101 cruise missile is a Russian missile that has been in service since 2015. It has a range of over 5500 km and can travel at subsonic speeds.
The missile is designed to evade modern air defense systems and has a low radar cross-section. It can carry a variety of warheads, including high explosive, penetrating, and nuclear.
Pros:
- Long range
- Low radar cross-section – hard to detect by enemy defenses
- Advanced guidance system with high accuracy
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other options
- Limited availability – only used by Russia currently
CJ-10 Cruise Missile
The CJ-10 cruise missile is a Chinese missile that has been in service since 2009. It has a range of over 2500 km and can travel at subsonic speeds. The missile is designed to be carried by aircraft or ground vehicles and can carry a variety of warheads, including high explosive and penetrating.
Pros:
- Low cost compared to other options
- Can be carried by multiple platforms
- Effective against both land and sea Targets
Cons:
- Limited range compared to other options
- Limited availability – only used by China currently
The Verdict
In conclusion, there is no clear winner when it comes to the best cruise missile in the world. Each of the missiles mentioned above has its own unique capabilities and limitations.
The Tomahawk cruise missile is tried and tested with a proven track record of success, while the BrahMos cruise missile has impressive speed and stealth capabilities. The KH-101 cruise missile is designed to evade modern air defense systems and has a low radar cross-section. Finally, the CJ-10 cruise missile is an affordable option that can be carried by multiple platforms.
Ultimately, the choice of which cruise missile to use depends on factors like mission requirements, budget constraints, and geopolitical considerations. It’s up to military planners to evaluate these factors carefully before making a final decision on which missile to deploy in any given situation.