Japan MSDF conducts first live-fire Tomahawk cruise missile launch

Published Aug 3, 03:31 PM UTC

On July 29, 2026, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted its first live-fire Tomahawk cruise missile launch from the destroyer JS Chokai, a Kongo-class Aegis ship modified in the United States in 2025. Tokyo has procured 400 Tomahawks since 2024, marking a historic shift from Japan's postwar defensive doctrine to a capability for long-range land attack. Japan argues that striking enemy missile sites before they launch constitutes legitimate self-defense, citing China's military modernization and North Korea's expanding arsenal. The Block IV and Block V Tomahawks have a range over 1,000 miles and carry a 1,000-pound warhead. The launch has drawn criticism from China, reflecting heightened regional tensions.