U.S. Tomahawk Delays and Joint Missile Exercises Reshape Japan’s Defense Outlook

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in early May that delivery of up to 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles—under a $2.35 billion contract for fiscal 2025-2027—will be postponed, with Washington warning the schedule could slip by as much as two years.

U.S. Informs Japan of Tomahawk Missile Delivery Delays: FTBenzingaSouth China Morning PostUS Typhon Missile System to Be Deployed Again in Japan: MediaAssociated Press

Japan’s order calls for two batches of 200 missiles each by April 2028. The United States fired more than 1,000 Tomahawks during Operation Epic Fury against Iran, depleting a pre-war stock of roughly 3,100 and creating the shortfall behind the projected delay.

Benzinga

The delay threatens Japan’s 1,600-km strike reach toward China’s coast and will push faster development of domestic missiles, such as the extended-range Type 12 and the Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile, to keep a credible counter-strike capability.

Benzinga

Hegseth said the United States must first replenish its depleted stockpiles. The Pentagon confirmed Tomahawk production is being reprioritized for the Iran campaign. Japanese officials accepted the warning and will review timelines while advancing indigenous missile work.

U.S. Informs Japan of Tomahawk Missile Delivery Delays: FT

From June to September the U.S. will place Typhon launchers and HIMARS at Kanoya Air Base for Valiant Shield and Orient Shield drills. Typhon can fire Tomahawks and SM-6 interceptors; HIMARS can launch rockets, ATACMS and Precision Strike Missiles. A live-fire HIMARS demo at Camp Fuji showed rapid “shoot-and-scoot” firing.

South China Morning Post

A civic group in Kagoshima demanded Typhon’s immediate removal after a prior deployment lingered beyond the announced period, citing routine-basin concerns. China and Russia have publicly condemned the U.S. missile presence on Japanese soil.

US Typhon Missile System to Be Deployed Again in Japan: Media

All sources agree the delay could be up to two years, but no revised delivery schedule has been released, leaving the impact on Japan’s readiness unclear.

U.S. Informs Japan of Tomahawk Missile Delivery Delays: FT

• “Washington had warned that the delays could add as much as two years to the current delivery schedule,” — Financial Times source, familiar with the situation

U.S. Informs Japan of Tomahawk Missile Delivery Delays: FT

• “The U.S. does not want China to invade Taiwan, but it would not be relying on the traditional aircraft carrier-based attack wings of the past,” — Euan Graham, senior defense analyst, Australian Strategic Policy Institute

Associated Press

• “It depends on the crew, but it can get as fast as four minutes, (even) two minutes sometimes,” — Sgt. Kevin Alvarez, section chief, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines

Associated Press

• “Being able to have long-range precision-fire weapons provides deterrence here in the Pacific, and we train with our Japanese partners as much as we can to make sure we’re ready,” — Lt. Col. Ryan Anness, commander, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines

Associated Press

Valiant Shield and Orient Shield will run through September, after which Typhon and HIMARS will be stored at a U.S. base in Japan. Japan is expected to adjust Tomahawk timelines while advancing its own missile projects to fill any capability gap.

South China Morning Post