US delays Japan’s Tomahawk missile supplies as Iran strikes take priority

The missiles are key to boosting Tokyo’s long-range strike capabilities to deal with challenges from China and North Korea

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A launch system for Tomahawk missiles on the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force’s Aegis-equipped destroyer Chokai at a US naval base in San Diego, California. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 2:30pm, 3 Apr 2026

Japan’s order for hundreds of Tomahawk missiles from the US is under threat as the American-Israeli war with Iran burns through inventories, the latest example of how the conflict is drawing in supplies and troops at the expense of defending against Washington’s primary strategic rival, China.

Tomahawk missiles are a centrepiece of Tokyo’s new strategy of equipping itself with long-range strike capabilities to deal with challenges from China and North Korea. But Washington has informed Tokyo that deliveries for its order for about 400 missiles by March 2028 would be disrupted, according to people familiar with the situation.

The US has launched hundreds of Tomahawk missiles during the attack on Iran, according to one person familiar with the matter, who did not want to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.

There were about 4,000 Tomahawks in US stockpiles before the war, including older models and anti-ship variants. RTX produced about 100 new missiles in 2025, while about 240 older models were upgraded to the latest Block V standard. The person said more than two years’ worth of such combined production had been consumed so far in the war.

Japan’s US$2.35 billion order, signed in 2024, was one of the biggest from a foreign country. Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said in March that the first shipment of Tomahawks had been received. However, the US has said its priority now is to ensure supplies for the war in Iran, according to two people familiar with the situation.

It is unclear whether there is a risk the US would miss the overall March 2028 deadline to complete shipments because of expected disruptions to the flow of deliveries.

US delays Japan’s Tomahawk missile supplies as Iran strikes take priority

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The missiles are key to boosting Tokyo’s long-range strike capabilities to deal with challenges from China and North Korea

The missiles are key to boosting Tokyo’s long-range strike capabilities to deal with challenges from China and North Korea