Overview
- The Navy is asking Congress for about $3 billion to buy 785 Tomahawk cruise missiles to rebuild inventories drawn down by Operation Epic Fury.
- New Defense Department agreements with RTX aim to raise Tomahawk output to more than 1,000 per year, yet experts still expect a two to three year refill.
- U.S. forces launched more than 850 Tomahawks at targets inside Iran, the heaviest use of the missile in any U.S. conflict to date.
- CSIS estimates prewar stocks were in the low 3,000s and warns the drawdown strains deterrence in the Western Pacific, where Tomahawks can strike from about 1,000 miles away.
- Japan was told its 400-missile purchase slated through March 2028 will be delayed, signaling ripple effects for allies who planned on near-term deliveries.