Previously, the government refrained from disclosing the number of missile purchases to prevent the disclosure of the Self-Defence Force’s ability to sustain combat operations. However, the government changed its decision on the issue after the leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan raised the subject to Kishida during a budget meeting on Feb. 22.
These cruise missiles will be deployed on Maritime Self-Defence Force Aegis destroyers in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 after the contract is signed in 2023.
Defence Minister Seiichi Hamada said, “We are currently coordinating with the United States to make it possible to acquire up to 400 missiles.”
The Tomahawk will be purchased under the Foreign Military Assistance (FMS) programme.
