The budget for the fiscal year 2023, starting in April, which is currently before parliament, provides 211.3 billion yen ($1.59 billion) for the purchase, which will be negotiated under the sales program of Washington’s Foreign Weapons. This amount includes related costs, such as the purchase of missile storage containers.
Tokyo aims to purchase the last Tomahawk, which the US Navy began receiving from the US military-industrial complex in 2021. The weapons will be deployed on Maritime Self-Defense Force ships, equipped with the Aegis missile defense system, from from which they will be able to hit ground targets at a distance of more than 1,600 kilometers. The deployment is expected to begin in fiscal year 2026 and end in 2027.
The purchase is part of Tokyo’s efforts to develop counterattack capabilities, or the ability to hit targets that pose an immediate threat to the country, according to military experts. The Japanese Ministry of Defense also hopes to increase the range of Japanese Type 12 guided cruise missiles to more than 1,000 kilometers. Tokyo intends to replenish the Self-Defense Forces’ arsenal with foreign-made missiles until upgraded Type 12s go into mass production. Deployment of the enhanced surface-to-ship weapons is also expected to begin in fiscal year 2026, although the risk of development or production delays remains.
Earlier in an interview with this Japanese publication, National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said the United States stands ready to help Japan acquire and improve counterattack capabilities.” to launch missiles into enemy territory”. “If Japan asks for help to improve any of its capabilities, we will certainly work to provide it,” Kirby said Thursday.
