US informs Japan of potential delay in Tomahawk missile delivery, FT reports

Central News Agency (Washington, 23rd) The Financial Times reported on the 23rd, citing sources, that the US government informed Japan earlier this month that the delivery of up to 400 US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, originally scheduled for acquisition by the end of fiscal year 2027, could be delayed by up to two years. Japan's Mainichi Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun cited the report, noting that military operations between the US and Iran have consumed a significant number of Tomahawk missiles. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth conveyed this information to Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi via telephone earlier this month. The Mainichi Shimbun pointed out that if the delivery is delayed, it could affect the Japanese government's plans for revising its National Security Strategy and other related security documents. To build 'counterstrike capabilities' to target enemy missile launch sites in emergencies, the Japanese government officially signed a contract with the US in 2024 to purchase Tomahawk missiles. The plan includes acquiring up to 200 of the latest 'Block 5' models and 200 existing 'Block 4' models, intended for deployment on eight Aegis destroyers of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The Tomahawk missile has a range of approximately 1,600 kilometers. The Asahi Shimbun noted that a multi-year delay could impact subsequent deployment schedules.