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The US State Department and Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has approved a US$2.35 billion (AU$3.60 billion) sale of up to 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.
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The government of Japan formally requested the acquisition of up to 200 Tomahawk Block IV All Up Rounds (AURs), up to 200 Tomahawk Block V AURs, and 14 Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control Systems (TTWCS) as part of the potential foreign military sale (FMS).
Worth an estimated US$2.35 billion (AU$3.60 billion), the FMS also includes support for the Tomahawk Weapon System, the All Up Round, and the Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control Systems to be procured and includes the Mission Distribution Software Suite Centers (MDSSC) as well as containers, feasibility studies, software, hardware, training, unscheduled missile maintenance, spares, and in-service support.
The US State Department announcement states, “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.”
Unpacking this further, the State Department articulates the role the Tomahawks will play in Japan’s inventory, detailing, “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 stand-off range that can neutralise 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.”
Raytheon’s Tomahawk Weapons Systems currently have two distinct blocks, the Block IV, called the Block IV Tactical Tomahawk, or TACTOM, has a data link that allows it to switch targets while in flight.
The Block IV Tomahawk can loiter for hours and change course instantly on command.
Meanwhile, the Block V is a recertified and modernised missile, delivering three distinct variants, namely:
- Block V: A modernised TACTOM with upgraded navigation and communication.
- Block Va: Block V that can strike moving targets at sea.
- Block Vb: Block V with a joint multi-effects warhead that can hit more diverse land targets.
The US State Department reinforced that Japan’s acquisition will have “no adverse impact on US defence readiness” as a result of this proposed sale.
This announcement comes following the October approval by the Department of State and DSCA of US$74.6 million (AU$114.38 million) for Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) Block 2B Tactical Missiles and related equipment. This contract will also see US “support for establishment of an Intermediate Level Maintenance Facility (ILMF)” for the Japanese military.
