The Pentagon awards a $22.9 billion contract to Raytheon for Tomahawk missiles, with officials saying it is intended to accelerate deliveries. Multiple outlets report the move comes amid concerns that U.S. missile stocks are strained by ongoing operations related to the Iran conflict.
Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao says the contract will speed delivery “at unprecedented speed” and that the Department is using available tools to meet current demands for naval and joint forces. One outlet also cites an analysis suggesting Patriot and THAAD interceptor stocks have been reduced by about half or more since the conflict began in late February.
Another outlet reports wider debate around whether missile inventories are actually running low, including claims that President Donald Trump pressed Pentagon leadership for answers, while later denials indicate that shortages may be disputed or characterized differently depending on the assessment. Across reports, Tomahawk missiles are described as submarine- and warship-launched with a range of more than 1,600 km.
