Iran's War Depletes Stockpiles, U.S. May Delay Delivery of Japan's Order for Tomahawk Missiles
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, April 4 - According to informed sources disclosed to U.S. media, the ongoing conflict in Iran has affected the U.S. military's weapon stockpiles, leading to a potential delay in the delivery of approximately 400 "Tomahawk" cruise missiles that Japan previously ordered from the United States.
Bloomberg reported on the 3rd, citing informed sources, that the U.S. side has notified Japan that the delivery of this order, which is supposed to be fully delivered by March 2028, may be postponed.
Japan signed a military sales contract with the United States in 2024 to purchase approximately 400 "Tomahawk" cruise missiles, with a contract value of up to $2.35 billion. In March of this year, Japan's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi stated that the "Tomahawk" cruise missiles have begun to be delivered to the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
Informed sources revealed that before launching military actions against Iran, the U.S. military had about 4,000 "Tomahawk" cruise missiles of various models in its inventory. Raytheon produced about 100 new "Tomahawk" missiles in 2025, while upgrading approximately 240 older "Tomahawk" missiles to the latest standards.
According to Bloomberg, the delay in this order is directly related to the consumption of U.S. military operations in the Middle East. The aforementioned informed sources estimate that the number of missiles consumed by the U.S. military in this conflict so far is equivalent to more than two years of production.
Additionally, reports from U.S. media such as National Security Magazine indicate that in the first three days of military actions against Iran, the U.S. military launched over 400 sea-based "Tomahawk" cruise missiles, while the U.S. government sometimes only procures 90 to 100 "Tomahawk" missiles in a year. (Wang Yixin)
Japan's order for approximately 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the U.S. may be delayed due to the consumption of U.S. military stockpiles during operations in Iran. The U.S. has notified Japan that the delivery, originally scheduled for completion by March 2028, could be postponed. In the first three days of military action against Iran, the U.S. launched over 400 Tomahawk missiles, significantly impacting its inventory.
- Japan ordered approximately 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the U.S. for $2.35 billion.
- Delivery of these missiles may be delayed due to U.S. military operations in Iran.
- The U.S. has informed Japan that the delivery, originally scheduled for before March 2028, could be postponed.
- The U.S. military has launched over 400 Tomahawk missiles in the first three days of military action against Iran.
- The U.S. military had approximately 4,000 Tomahawk missiles in stock before the conflict began.