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RGM-109E Tomahawk

On 17 November 2023 the US State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of Tomahawk Weapon System and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.35 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

The Government of Japan requested to buy up to two hundred (200) Tomahawk Block IV All Up Rounds (AURs) (RGM-109E); up to two hundred (200) Tomahawk Block V AURs (RGM-109E); and fourteen (14) Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control Systems (TTWCS). Also included is support for the Tomahawk Weapon System (TWS) (the All Up Round, the Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control Systems (TTWCS) and the Mission Distribution Software Suite Centers (MDSSC)), as well as containers; feasibility studies; software; hardware; training; unscheduled missile maintenance; spares; in-service support; communication equipment; operational flight test; publications; engineering and technical expertise to maintain the TWS capability; non-recurring engineering; transportation; and other related elements of logistics and program support.

• 200 Block IV (Japan to recieve existing rounds for early operation)
• 200 Block V (New rounds)
• 14 TACTOM Weapon Control Systems (For 4 Kongos, 2 Atagos, 2 Mayas, 2 future ASEVs and 4 new DDGs?]

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region. The proposed sale will improve Japan’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a long range, conventional surface-to-surface missile with significant standoff range that can neutralize growing threats. Japan will have no difficulty absorbing these articles into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Raytheon, Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Japan. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.

Japan signed the deal with the United States to buy 400 long-range Tomahawk missiles as the country ramps up its military capacity. The defense agreement was inked in Tokyo on 18 January 2024 as Japan plans to double its military spending to 2 percent of its GDP ($68 billion) by 2027. The record military spending would make Japan the world’s third-biggest military spender after the United States and China.

The sale of up to $2.35 billion for two types of Tomahawks, which have a 1,600-kilometre (995-mile) range, was approved by America in November 2023. Tokyo had been saying that it faced growing military threats from China and North Korea causing it to increase its military capabilities to counter the threats. "The conclusion of this signing starts the procurement of the Tomahawk missiles," a Japanese defense official told reporters after the deal was signed. "Through sound implementation of the (defense) budget, we will extensively strengthen our defense capacity," the official added.

Japan had approved a record defense budget worth $56 billion for the next fiscal year from April. Horrors of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 by the US had made the country adopt a pacifist post-war constitution. Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution renounces war as a right of the state and forbids the country from using force to settle international disputes and from possessing the tools to wage war.

The country is now pivoting away from the decades-old policy of pacifism. Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s efforts to make amendments to Article 9 of the constitution were frustrated but he was successful in restructuring the Japanese defense system.

At a press conference on Thursday, US Ambassador Rahm Emanuel lauded Japan's growing military spending. "As aggressors grow more and more belligerent, Japan is at the forefront of countries rallying to protect peace and prosperity by raising the costs of aggression," Emanuel said.