Japan’s acquisition of Tomahawk cruise missiles, under a major foreign military sale (FMS) agreement with the US, follows a significant shift in the country’s military policy in recent years. The acquisition comes in light of North Korean and Chinese military buildup and increased activity in the Indo-Pacific region. The procurement of Tomahawk missiles will play a crucial role in improving the country’s naval deterrence in an already hostile area, according to GlobalData, a data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s report, “Missiles and Missile Defense Systems Market Size and Trend Analysis by Segments, Programs, Competitive Landscape and Forecast to 2033,” reveals that Japan is expected to spend about $8.6 billion on procuring various missiles and missile defense systems over the next ten years. Out of which, 42% of spending will be directed towards conventional land-attack missiles like Tomahawks.
Rithik Rao, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments:“Procurement of conventional land-attack missiles, such as Tomahawk from the US, Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) from Norway, and indigenous Type 12 missiles, is integral to the island nation’s strategy for deterring potential threats while also ensuring attack capabilities against hostile forces. Frequent Chinese incursions in the Japan-administered Senkaku Islands and North Korean missile tests near its exclusive economic zone make it imperative for Japanese policymakers to acquire and demonstrate capabilities to deter such incidents.”
GlobalData estimates show that Japan is firm on increasing military spending, up to $85.92 billion by 2028, primarily for improving its defence capabilities.
Rao concludes: “Apart from missile procurement, Japan also plans to induct military platforms capable of launching these missiles. For instance, the country is procuring two new Aegis-equipped destroyers by 2028 and is also adding more F-35s to its fleet. With this revamped military outlook, Japan is to play a crucial role in ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific and foster increased security cooperation with its Quad partners—the US, Australia, and India.”
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