Japan conducts first live-fire Tomahawk cruise missile test

Published Jul 30, 08:24 AM UTC

On July 29, 2026, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) conducted its first live-fire test of a Tomahawk cruise missile from the Aegis destroyer JS Chokai in the Pacific Ocean, with U.S. Navy support. This makes Japan the third country outside the U.S. to fire a Tomahawk from a surface combatant, after Australia and the Netherlands. The test confirmed successful launch procedures and missile flight to target, though operational details were withheld. Japan plans to equip five Aegis destroyers with Tomahawk capability, with a budget of 113.6 billion yen, and is acquiring up to 400 Block IV and Block V missiles via FMS. No further live-fire tests are planned, as integration with the Mk 41 VLS is considered validated. Two new Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEVs) are under construction but will not initially have Tomahawk capability.