US to deploy anti-ship missiles on submarines in 2024 to counter China's maritime dominance

In a strategic move to bolster military capabilities and confront China’s maritime dominance, the US Navy has announced plans to equip submarines with ship-targeting versions of the Tomahawk missile, known as the “Maritime Strike”, according to a Bloomberg report.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to counterbalance Chinese forces, particularly in the contested waters around Taiwan.

Captain Jon Hersey, program manager, told Bloomberg that the “Maritime Strike” version of the Tomahawk, the RTX Corp. missiles are set to be deployed after October 1 next year. These modified missiles, originally designed for ground-attack purposes, will now feature a new guidance system enabling them to engage mobile sea targets. The Navy, after receiving an initial version last year for testing, has declared it combat-ready.

The deployment of the Maritime Strike Tomahawk complements the US Navy’s existing arsenal, aiming to address the numerical superiority of the Chinese fleet. While plans include deploying these missiles on surface vessels, submarines provide a more secure platform against China’s anti-ship capabilities.

Of particular significance is the focus on defending Taiwan, a contested territory claimed by China. The island nation holds economic and strategic importance for the United States, especially concerning its semiconductor industry.

The timeline for the new maritime strike missile aligns with the Pentagon’s Replicator program, set to deploy thousands of drones in the Indo-Pacific region between February and August 2025. This development is concurrent with the growing security alliance between the US, the UK, and Australia, known as Aukus, which recently unveiled plans, including the use of artificial intelligence in tracking Chinese submarines.

The Maritime Strike Tomahawk missiles will be deployed on Los Angeles and Virginia-class submarines, with some modified Virginia-class submarines capable of carrying up to 40 missiles. The extended range of up to 1,000 miles provides a significant standoff from Chinese anti-access and area-denial missile forces, potentially complicating Chinese planning for a blockade or invasion of Taiwan.

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According to the report, Brent Sadler, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, emphasised the need for further development to determine how these missiles will be employed to overwhelm China’s forces and achieve a “war-winning” outcome.

Japan may also join the deployment of the new anti-ship version of the Tomahawk missile, with the State Department notifying Congress of a potential sale valued at up to $2.35 billion for 200 missiles.

China, with 370 ships and submarines in its naval force, including more than 140 major surface combatants, faces a growing challenge as the US Navy deploys advanced weaponry. The US Navy, with 291 deployable vessels, aims to counterbalance China’s modern multi-mission ships and submarines.

Vice Admiral William Houston, the Navy’s Submarine Forces Commander, said in a statement to Bloomberg that he’s committed to fielding the Maritime Strike Tomahawk as quickly as possible but pointed out that “procurement, modernisation and fielding schedules are dynamic and impacted by a variety of factors including industrial base and shipyard capacity.”

In addition to the Maritime Strike Tomahawk, the US anti-ship arsenal includes the RTX SM-6 air defense missile, Lockheed Martin Corp.’s Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, and Boeing Co.’s sea-skimming Harpoon anti-ship missiles. These developments underscore the ongoing efforts to enhance the United States’ maritime capabilities and maintain a strategic edge in the Indo-Pacific region.

With inputs from agencies