The delivery of U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles to Japan could be delayed by up to two years [1], [2].
This delay threatens to stall Japan's efforts to bolster its long-range strike capabilities at a time of heightened regional tension. The procurement is a central pillar of Japan's strategy to enhance its deterrence posture in the Indo-Pacific.
Japan plans to purchase up to 400 Tomahawk missiles [1], [3]. However, the U.S. Defense Secretary said in April that deliveries to Japan might be postponed [2]. The shortage stems from recent U.S. military operations against Iran in the Middle East, where the U.S. prioritized its own force requirements over export commitments [2], [4].
Reports indicate that the U.S. used between 30% and 50% of its Tomahawk inventory during the operations against Iran [5]. This massive expenditure has left the U.S. Department of Defense struggling to maintain its own strategic reserves, while fulfilling international orders.
Recovering these stockpiles will be a long-term process. Some estimates suggest it will take approximately four years to restore the inventory [5]. Other experts said it could take more than five years for certain missile types to return to pre-operation levels [6].
Defense Minister Koizumi and U.S. defense officials continue to coordinate on the timeline, but the shortfall remains a significant hurdle [1], [2]. The situation highlights the fragility of the global defense supply chain when the U.S. engages in high-intensity conflict.
“Japan plans to purchase up to 400 Tomahawk missiles”
The delay underscores a critical tension in U.S. foreign policy: the balance between supporting allies' deterrence capabilities and maintaining its own operational readiness. By prioritizing domestic stockpiles after the Iran conflict, the U.S. inadvertently creates a window of vulnerability for Japan, potentially forcing Tokyo to accelerate the development of its own indigenous long-range missile systems to reduce reliance on American hardware.
