Q&A ยท 4:16:29-4:17:47

Why Talos found no export customers

Talos demanded ships and support facilities so large that few allies could operate it, while likely customers were funding national missile programs.

Question

Why was Talos not exported like Terrier and Tartar?

Short answer

Few allies had ships large enough or wanted the sustainment burden, and purchasing Talos competed with their own missile-development programs.

Notes

The missile's performance did not overcome the industrial and political barriers to export. Navies with suitable hulls faced heavy sustainment costs, and buying Talos threatened domestic programs; even Italy's reported interest became entangled in whether Washington or Rome ultimately said no.