Raytheon to Boost Tomahawk Missile Production Amid Stockpile Concerns

Raytheon, a prominent U.S. defense contractor, has announced plans to significantly increase the production of its long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. This decision comes after worries over depleted stockpiles due to the ongoing U.S. engagement with Iran. The company stated on Monday that it has secured a notable contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) valued at nearly $23 billion, spanning a seven-year period.

Amid rising global demand for sophisticated weapons, the Pentagon has urged defense companies to speed up equipment production. European nations and Canada, under pressure from then-President Donald Trump, are striving to bolster their military inventory. This urgency is fueled by the U.S. conflict with Tehran and military engagements in Ukraine, which have heavily taxed missile reserves.

The White House has dismissed any claims of munitions shortages, despite frequent high-intensity strikes against Iran. Tomahawk missiles, typically launched from platforms such as U.S. Navy destroyers stationed in the Middle East, have been a crucial element of American naval operations since the 1980s. These missiles, capable of hitting targets up to 1,000 miles away, can now change targets mid-flight and linger over areas of interest for extended periods after launch.

As of February, under half of the U.S. Tomahawk missile stockpile had been expended, as reported by Reuters in early August. The Wall Street Journal noted that more than 1,000 Tomahawks were deployed between late February and April in the Iran conflict, with 850 fired in just the first month alone.

Raytheon has committed to increasing its annual Tomahawk production to over 1,000 missiles, marking a fivefold surge from previous years, according to military analysts. RTX, Raytheon’s parent company, revealed that its production in the first half of 2026 was three times higher compared to the same period in 2025. However, the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., has estimated that it will take about four years for the U.S. to replenish its Tomahawk reserves to their pre-conflict quantity.

Tomahawk is the Navy’s most critical strike weapon, capable of targeting threats from hundreds of miles away while keeping our sailors out of harm’s way, emphasized Raytheon President Phil Jasper on Monday. The Pentagon’s under secretary for acquisition and sustainment, Michael Duffey, remarked, The department challenged the industry to boost munitions production and capacity.

Various U.S. allies, including Japan, which purchased 400 Tomahawks in 2024, are experiencing delivery delays. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth informed his Japanese counterpart of projected delays in May, as reported by the Financial Times. Australia made a procurement of around 200 Tomahawks in 2023, and the Netherlands has plans to equip its frigates with these long-range missiles.