Pentagon signs nearly $23 billion deal to accelerate Tomahawk production
US Department of Defense signs nearly $23 billion deal with Raytheon to increase Tomahawk production after heavy munitions use in clashes with Iran.
The Pentagon has signed a contract worth just under $23 billion with Raytheon to speed up production of Tomahawk cruise missiles for the US Navy, the Department of Defense announced.
The move comes as Washington seeks to rapidly expand manufacturing capacity for critical munitions after inventories of missiles and other advanced weapons were drawn down during heavy use in the conflict with Iran.
Analysts point to the high unit cost of the weapon: the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimates a Tomahawk costs about $2.6 million each. CSIS also estimated the US Navy held roughly 3,100 Tomahawks before the Iran-related fighting and that more than 1,000 have been expended since.
Order aims to rebuild stocks and accelerate output
The large contract is designed to increase output quickly by expanding production lines and supply chain capacity at Raytheon, according to the Department of Defense announcement. Officials say the priority is to replace expended inventories as fast as possible to restore operational availability.
In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in March said he had asked Washington to deliver between 100 and 200 Tomahawk missiles in October 2025.
Photo: press material from the event
