Poland reportedly submitted its request several months ago, and the details have yet to be made public. The missiles would give Poland the ability to strike deep behind enemy lines, with a range of up to 1,600 kilometers and a warhead weighing about 450 kilograms.
One possible launcher is the U.S. Typhon system, which can fire both Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles. Germany has been pursuing Typhon and Tomahawks as an interim solution since at least 2024.
Poland’s planned Miecznik frigates are due to carry Mk 41 vertical launchers, which could provide another way to deploy Tomahawks. That option would require integrating the missiles with the ships’ combat management system.
Polish defense analysts have raised concerns that buying the missiles off the shelf could reduce the work available to local manufacturers and limit Poland’s control over its long-range strike capability. They point to a domestic system that could start with strike drones and later add cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as Poland’s participation in the ELSA and NATO Deep Strike Drone initiatives.
How soon Poland could take delivery remains unclear as Washington gives priority to replenishing its own stocks after the war with Iran, in which U.S. forces reportedly used more than 1,000 missiles. Raytheon is raising Tomahawk production from about 200 a year toward a target of more than 1,000, and U.S. stocks are expected to take several years to rebuild.
