US delays Tomahawk missile deliveries to Japan amid supply shortages

The United States has decided to postpone the delivery of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Japan due to weapons shortages caused by the war with Iran, the Financial Times reports, citing sources.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth informed his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi earlier this month about the delay during a phone call, according to several people familiar with the discussions.

The setback represents a significant blow for Japan, which placed its first order for Tomahawk missiles in 2024 to strengthen deterrence against China. With a range of approximately 1,600 km, the missiles would provide Tokyo with a “counterstrike” capability, enabling it to target coastal areas of China. The $2.35-billion agreement followed growing pressure from the United States urging its Asian ally to boost defence spending.

The Pentagon decision comes as the US military moves to replenish missile stockpiles depleted during Operation Epic Fury. Last month, the Financial Times reported that Washington had already warned several European allies, including the United Kingdom and Poland, to expect substantial delays in the delivery of US-ordered weapons systems.

According to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the United States used more than 1,000 Tomahawk missiles in the first five weeks of the conflict with Iran. Before the hostilities began, the US arsenal included approximately 3,100 such missiles.

By Jeyhun Aghazada