The United States Navy has requested $3 billion to procure 785 Tomahawk cruise missiles for fiscal year 2027, marking a dramatic increase in planned acquisitions following heavy battlefield usage. According to Pentagon budget documents, this stands in stark contrast to the mere 55 missiles being purchased in the current fiscal year, which ends on September 30, underscoring a rapid shift in procurement priorities.
The surge comes after an intense four-week conflict with Iran, during which the United States expended more than 850 Tomahawk missiles—far exceeding annual procurement levels. In parallel, the United States Department of Defense has requested $1.5 billion to upgrade existing missiles, representing a 217% increase over fiscal year 2026. The total target inventory for Tomahawk missiles has now been set at 3,992 units, reflecting a long-term effort to rebuild and expand strike capacity.
This buildup is not limited to naval forces. The United States Army is also scaling up its capabilities, requesting $2.7 billion for its Mid-Range Capability (MRC) ground-based launcher program. Designed to fire both Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles, the program’s funding represents a 33-fold increase compared to this year’s $82 million allocation, which covered the procurement of just 13 missiles. The combined expansion highlights a broader US strategy to enhance long-range precision strike capabilities across multiple domains.
