Q&A ยท 2:34:59-2:35:10

Land-based anti-ship missiles already exist

The issue for land-based anti-ship missiles is not technical possibility but whether a navy or state chooses to procure and field them.

Question

Is there scope for land-based anti-ship missile systems?

Short answer

Yes. Suitable land-launch missile systems already exist; the limiting question is procurement and deployment rather than feasibility.

Notes

Land-launch variants of anti-ship missiles already existed when this question was answered. A coastal battery did not require a new technological breakthrough before it could threaten ships offshore. The practical question was whether a government chose to procure and deploy the available system. Technical feasibility and the policy decision to field a weapon were separate issues.