JAKARTA - Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi denied media reports that the delivery of US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles to Japan was expected to be significantly delayed, stressing that the current acquisition schedule had not changed.
"Our plan to acquire the missile between fiscal years 2025 to 2027 remains unchanged at this time," Koizumi told reporters, referring to a recent Financial Times report that said the US was prioritizing replenishing depleted weapons stocks as a result of the war against Iran.
The newspaper reported that Washington had warned that the delay could shift the delivery schedule by two years from the original plan. The disruption is considered a major blow to Japan, which for the first time ordered Tomahawk missiles in 2024 to strengthen its deterrent against China.
Koizumi explained that delays in the delivery of defense equipment from abroad can generally occur.
"We will continue to work closely with the United States to ensure the acquisition process goes smoothly," he said, adding that Japan will seek to minimize operational impacts while strengthening its domestic defense production base.
Japan has signed a contract with ASuntuk to acquire up to 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles between fiscal years 2025 and 2027 as part of efforts to strengthen the country's counterattack capabilities.
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