US Navy seeks to expand Tomahawk missile procurement
As the Middle East reels from the US-Israeli war on Iran, the US Navy is reportedly seeking to procure 785 Tomahawk cruise missiles for the 2027 fiscal year, according to the pro-Algerian AL24 and agencies on April 9th.
Pentagon budget documents indicate the US Navy has requested $3 billion to procure the missiles, a stark contrast from the 55 missiles purchased in the current fiscal year, which ends on September 30th.
Since February 28th, the US has expended over 850 Tomahawk missiles, far exceeding annual procurement levels; the US Department of Defence has also requested $1.5 billion to upgrade existing missiles, with a target inventory of 3,992 units.
It was reported on March 27th that the US and Israel were “burning through” Tomahawk missiles and missile interceptor supplies; supplies were already depleted following the 2025 strikes on Iran.
However, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar denied claims of shortages of missile interceptors on March 15th.
Despite Sa’ar’s rejection of these claims, the US approved a $151.8 million munitions sale to Israel on March 6th, forgoing the Congressional Review required for large arms sales.
Furthermore, Israel’s defence capabilities have come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks, with an investigation being launched over an apparent missile interception failure in the south.
It was reported on April 1st that Israel was turning to alternative air defence systems to intercept Iranian missiles, with the military using systems not originally designed for missile interception, such as Arrow 3 systems and David’s Sling.
The Pentagon approved an $8.6 billion F-15 fighter jet contract for Israel in December 2025, despite concerns about defence companies being complicit in war crimes amid Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.
America is Israel’s largest weapons supplier, accounting for around 53% of Israel’s arms imports, while Germany accounts for the remaining 47%.
Germany is one of several European countries to continue arms exports to Israel since 2023, with Britain, France, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Serbia also continuing weapons shipments to Israel.
Defence contractors, including Elbit Systems, Rafael, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, have faced criticism over alleged complicity in Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
AL24 and agencies, Maghrebi.org
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