How Much Does a Cruise Missile Cost?

By Robert Palmer

Cruise missiles are one of the most advanced weapons used by militaries across the world. These missiles are designed to be launched from ships, submarines, or aircraft and can travel long distances to destroy Targets with high precision.

But how much does a cruise missile cost? Let’s take a look.

What is a Cruise Missile?

A cruise missile is a self-guided weapon that can fly at low altitudes to avoid detection by radar systems. It uses advanced technology to navigate and adjust its flight path to reach its Target with precision accuracy. Cruise missiles can carry different types of warheads, including conventional explosives, nuclear weapons, or chemical agents.

How Much Does a Cruise Missile Cost?

The cost of a cruise missile depends on various factors such as the type of missile, range, guidance system, and warhead. Typically, the cost of a single cruise missile can range from $500,000 to $1.5 million or more. However, some advanced models can cost up to $20 million per unit.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Cruise Missiles

  • Type of Missile: There are different types of cruise missiles available in the market with varying costs.
  • Range: The longer the range of the missile, the more expensive it will be.
  • Guidance System: Advanced guidance systems such as GPS and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) increase the cost of cruise missiles.
  • Warhead: The type and size of warhead used in a cruise missile also affects its cost.

Cruise Missiles Examples and Their Costs

  • BGM-109 Tomahawk: One of the most widely used cruise missiles in the US military, the BGM-109 Tomahawk has a range of 1500 km and costs around $1.5 million per unit.
  • Kh-55: The Kh-55 is a long-range Russian cruise missile that can carry nuclear warheads. It has a range of 3000 km and costs around $3 million per unit.
  • BrahMos: The BrahMos is a joint venture between India and Russia and is one of the fastest supersonic cruise missiles in the world. It has a range of 290 km and costs around $2.8 million per unit.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, cruise missiles are expensive weapons that require advanced technology and engineering. The cost of these missiles varies depending on various factors such as their range, guidance system, and warhead. While they are undoubtedly effective at destroying Targets with precision accuracy, their high cost makes them a significant investment for any military force.