Pentagon inks Tomahawk deal amid reports of missile shortfall

The Pentagon announced a US$22.9 billion contract with Raytheon on Monday for Tomahawk missiles amid reports of a shortfall due to the war with Iran.

Acting US navy secretary Hung Cao said the contract will “accelerate Tomahawk missile delivery to our warfighters at unprecedented speed”.

“Guaranteeing our naval and joint forces have the lethal firepower they need to deter aggression and protect the homeland is paramount,” Cao said in a statement.

“The Department is utilising every available tool to meet the demands of our current operations,” Cao said.

An analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank released last month found that US stocks of Patriot and THAAD air defense missiles have been slashed by the conflict with Iran.

Before it began in late February, the US had more than 2,300 Patriot and more than 450 THAAD interceptors – figures that CSIS estimated have been roughly halved or more in the subsequent months of war.

The Washington Post reported this month that president Donald Trump had demanded answers from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth about munitions shortages at a recent cabinet meeting.

Trump and Hegseth both later denied that the US was faced with dwindling missile stocks.

Tomahawk missiles are mainly launched from submarines and warships and can travel more than 1,600km.