Japan’s first Tomahawk-capable destroyer returns home after US upgrades

TOKYO — Japan’s first destroyer capable of firing Tomahawk cruise missiles returned home Sunday after nearly a year in the United States, marking a major step in Tokyo’s effort to field long-range weapons capable of striking targets about 1,000 miles away.

The guided-missile destroyer JS Chokai left Sasebo Naval Base in September 2025 for modifications, software installation and crew training in San Diego to accommodate the U.S.-made missile, a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force spokesman said by phone Monday.

The destroyer successfully test-fired a Tomahawk in the Pacific on July 29, he said, declining to provided test details. Some Japanese government officials are required to speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

Chokai is the first of Japan’s eight Aegis-equipped destroyers to gain Tomahawk capability, the spokesman said. At least four more are slated for similar modifications.

Japan has pursued the weapon since at least 2022 as part of an effort to acquire what it calls “stand-off capabilities” that allow its forces to strike from beyond the range of an adversary’s weapons.

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile flies at high subsonic speeds and extremely low altitudes along evasive routes, according to Naval Air Systems Command. The missile has a range of about 1,000 miles, according to manufacturer Raytheon.

“Strengthening our stand-off defense capabilities is essential to safeguarding the lives and peaceful livelihoods of the Japanese people as we face the most severe and complex security environment since the end of the war,” Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said at a news conference Friday.

Japan would use Tomahawks only “in the event of an armed attack from another country,” he added.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner fires a Tomahawk land-attack missile during Operation Epic Fury, March 21, 2026. (U.S. Navy)

The U.S. Pacific and 3rd fleets facilitated the Chokai’s modification and testing, Pacific Fleet announced in April. It declined to confirm whether it would support modifications to additional Japanese destroyers.

Spokespeople for both fleets did not immediately respond Sunday to emailed requests for comment.

Two other Aegis destroyers, JS Kirishima and JS Haguro, have already begun Tomahawk-related upgrades, while funding has been allocated to modify JS Myoko and JS Atago, another Maritime Self-Defense Force spokesman said July 31.

The U.S. government in November 2023 approved a $2.35 billion sale to Japan of up to 200 Block IV missiles and 200 newer Block V missiles, along with related equipment.

Japan received its first Tomahawk missiles in March, Koizumi said at a March 13 press conference. The Defense Ministry has not disclosed how many missiles have been delivered.

The Block V Tomahawk costs $3.64 million per missile, according to Naval Air Systems Command.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a May 27 analysis that further deliveries to Japan may have been delayed by U.S. demand for weapons during the war with Iran.

The Pentagon, meanwhile, is seeking to substantially increase inventories of missiles and interceptors.

The Navy awarded Raytheon a seven-year, $22.9 billion contract on Aug. 17 aimed at increasing annual Tomahawk production to more than 1,000 missiles, according to the company.

Raytheon President Phil Jasper described the Tomahawk as the Navy’s “most important strike weapon” and said the company is investing to “dramatically boost production capacity and meet surging demand.”

Neither Raytheon nor the Navy have said when production will reach that level.