Japan accelerates $1.6bn purchase of 400 US Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of 1,600km

The Japanese authorities have decided to accelerate the purchase of Tomahawk cruise missiles. The plans to purchase the new weapon were officially announced in early 2023.

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Japan will spend $1.6 billion to purchase 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles. Initially, the Land of the Rising Sun planned to start the purchase in fiscal year 2026. However, Defence Minister Minoru Kihara said that the process will be launched a year earlier.

The reason is related to growing security threats in the region from China, North Korea and the Russian Federation. Japan has decided to respond to this situation by purchasing cruise missiles with a range of about 1,600 kilometres, which will make it possible to destroy military facilities on enemy territory.

The purchase of Tomahawk will cost the Japanese budget almost $2.5 billion. This is due to the need to modernise the ships that will carry the cruise missiles. To achieve the goal, Japan will allocate another $832 million.

Also, let's not forget about the desire of the Land of the Rising Sun to build two more ships of the Aegis system. In addition to the Tomahawk, they will be armed with SM-3 and SM-6 anti-aircraft missiles and laser weapons. The project will cost $2.6bn.

Source: Kyodo