Exclusive: Ukraine Develops New Advanced Trembita Cruise Missile Capable of Reaching Moscow.

On December 23, 2024, the British weekly newspaper The Economist reported that Ukraine is advancing its missile development program by creating a larger and more powerful version of its Trembita cruise missile, designed to reach Moscow potentially. This new development underscores Ukraine’s focus on bolstering its military capabilities with cost-effective, homegrown solutions as the conflict with Russia continues.
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Ukrainian engineers work on the development of the advanced Trembita missile, designed to enhance the country’s long-range strike capabilities and potentially reach Russian territory, including Moscow. (Picture source: Facebook)

The Trembita cruise missile, named after a traditional Ukrainian alpine horn, was first revealed in 2023 and has been developed as a low-cost alternative to more expensive Western or Russian missile systems. Inspired by the principles of the V1 flying bombs used by Nazi Germany during World War II, the Trembita missile focuses on affordability and simplicity while maintaining effective combat capabilities.

The basic version of the Trembita missile is a cruise missile or flying bomb with a range of up to 140 kilometers, making it suitable for targeting enemy positions within Ukraine or just beyond the front lines. It has a relatively low launch weight of around 100 kilograms, making it easier for Ukraine to produce and deploy it in larger quantities. The missile travels at speeds of up to 400 kilometers per hour, providing it with the ability to cover significant distances, though it is slower than some of the advanced Western cruise missiles.

The Trembita missile can be equipped with either a thermobaric or high-explosive (HE) warhead weighing approximately 25 kilograms, sufficient for precision strikes on strategic infrastructure, military targets, or other key enemy positions. It is capable of flying at altitudes up to 2,000 meters, with the ability to adjust its flight path to avoid detection by radar or to evade air defense systems. In terms of dimensions, the Trembita has an overall length of 2 meters, though the exact wingspan and diameter remain unspecified. These technical characteristics make the Trembita a highly affordable, yet effective, weapon capable of delivering precision strikes without the cost associated with more advanced systems.

The new, larger version of the Trembita missile is expected to enhance both its range and payload capacity. While official specifications for the upgraded version remain classified, it is believed that the new missile could potentially reach targets as far as 1,500 kilometers, bringing major Russian cities, including Moscow, within its reach. Additionally, the missile’s warhead capacity is expected to increase, enabling it to inflict more damage on high-value targets. The advanced Trembita may also incorporate improvements in its guidance and navigation systems, potentially including GPS-aided targeting for better precision and countermeasures to bypass air defenses. The developers are likely focusing on enhancing the missile’s speed and maneuverability to ensure it remains viable in contested airspace.

Despite its increasing capabilities, the missile’s affordability remains a key feature. By leveraging cost-effective materials and streamlined manufacturing processes, Ukrainian engineers have ensured that Trembita missiles can be produced at a fraction of the cost of comparable Western or Russian missiles. This affordability enables Ukraine to maintain a high production rate, providing a scalable solution to meet its operational needs. The missile’s simplicity and cost-efficiency allow for rapid deployment and saturation of enemy defenses, overwhelming them with a high volume of attacks at minimal cost.

The strategic implications of the new version of the Trembita missile are significant. A missile capable of striking Moscow would provide Ukraine with a powerful strategic deterrent, complicating Russian military calculations. It would also demonstrate Ukraine’s growing technological expertise and its ability to produce sophisticated weapons systems independently. This development may influence the nature of future military aid from Western countries, with a focus on supporting Ukraine’s indigenous capabilities rather than duplicating them with costly Western systems.

At the same time, the potential deployment of a long-range missile with the ability to strike deep into Russian territory could escalate tensions. Russia may respond with increased countermeasures, including enhanced air defense systems and retaliatory strikes. The increased capabilities of the Trembita missile would thus not only strengthen Ukraine’s defensive position but also change the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.

As the Trembita program progresses, it will remain a focal point for defense analysts and policymakers worldwide. The missile’s success could offer a model for other nations seeking to balance cost-effective production with high combat effectiveness. For Ukraine, the continued development of the Trembita missile is a testament to its resilience, adaptability, and strategic foresight, providing a crucial asset in its defense efforts and a potential game-changer in the ongoing conflict with Russia.