"The deployment of these ground-based missiles into the Pacific is a significant development," says Eric Heginbotham, a principal research scientist at MIT's Center for International Studies. "For example, in an invasion of Taiwan, a Chinese amphibious fleet would effectively have to anchor off a landing area in Taiwan. Its location would be known. And these maritime strike Tomahawks could go to work, target the fleet, and sink part of it," he tells VOA."