US warns Japan of severe delays in Tomahawk missile deliveries due to Iran war

The U.S. has formally notified Japan that delivery of 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles will be delayed by up to two years. The delay stems from the U.S. prioritizing restocking its own depleted arsenal after expending over 850 missiles during Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth conveyed this update to Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in May 2026, pushing back the original April 2028 delivery timeline. Japan’s $2.35 billion contract, signed in 2024, was designed to provide the country with long-range strike capabilities for the first time since 1945, targeting threats from China and North Korea. The missiles were split into two batches of 200 each, with the first batch now at risk of arriving no earlier than 2030. The U.S. military’s rapid consumption of Tomahawks—manufactured by Raytheon, now part of RTX Corporation—has strained production capacity. With the U.S. military restocking its own inventories, Japan’s order has been deprioritized. The delay forces Tokyo to reconsider its defense strategy, as the missiles were intended to enhance counterstrike capabilities against adversaries. Japan’s acquisition of Tomahawks reflects a shift in its military posture, moving away from its long-standing defensive-only stance. Rising tensions with China and North Korea’s missile provocations prompted the decision to invest in offensive strike capabilities. The delay may accelerate Japan’s exploration of domestically produced standoff missiles as an alternative solution. The broader implications of Operation Epic Fury extend beyond Tomahawks, raising concerns about allied stockpiles in potential conflicts like those in the Taiwan Strait or Korean Peninsula. For Japan, the delay creates a critical gap in its military readiness, leaving it vulnerable until new capabilities are developed or alternative solutions are secured.