Daniel Davis Deep Dive TOMAHAWK MISSILES: Real Story is Scarcity /Lt Col Daniel Davis & Jennifer Kavanagh
Oct 3, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Jennifer Kavanagh, a Senior Fellow in military analysis, shares her insights on the complexities of Tomahawk missile scarcity amidst ongoing global tensions. She explains Ukraine's challenges with missile access and launch capabilities. The discussion highlights U.S. motivations regarding military involvement and NATO's defense responsibilities. Kavanagh also critiques European defense dynamics and argues for a strategy that empowers Europe while evaluating the implications of U.S. withdrawal. The conversation culminates with thoughts on potential conflicts, illustrating the intricate ties between military readiness and diplomacy.
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Tomahawk Scarcity Limits Transfers
- Tomahawk missiles are scarce and prioritized for U.S. forces due to low production and high operational value.
- Jennifer Kavanagh says max production is under 500 per year and military buys ~250 annually.
Delivery, Not Capability, Is The Bottleneck
- Ukraine lacks delivery platforms for Tomahawks, so U.S. launches would be required or massive ground systems moved in.
- Kavanagh argues that no realistic launch solution makes Tomahawks impractical to send.
Prioritize Unentanglement And Diplomacy
- U.S. strategic interest is to reduce entanglement and end conflicts quickly through diplomacy.
- Kavanagh recommends arming Ukraine enough to hold ground while pushing hard on negotiations.