The United States recently approved Japan’s request to purchase 400 Tomahawk missiles, marking a significant enhancement of the country’s defense capabilities despite ongoing dialogue with China. Valued at $2.35 billion, the sale includes two types of Tomahawk missiles, each with a range of 1,600 kilometers (approximately 995 miles).
The U.S. State Department clarified that this transaction aims to improve the security of Japan, a major ally contributing to political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region. Japan will receive 200 Block IV All Up Round missiles and 200 Block V missiles, along with 14 control systems and various other equipment, software, and training.
This announcement comes at a time when the Biden administration is implementing parallel strategies in the Indo-Pacific, aiming to mend some strained relations with China while heavily investing in American allies in the region to counter Beijing’s aggression. These efforts were recently highlighted by meetings between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and military chiefs from South Korea and Japan in Asia, as well as the historic visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the White House before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco.