U.S. forces have fired hundreds of Tomahawk cruise missiles in recent operations, according to two sources familiar with the matter, far exceeding the Pentagon’s usual annual procurement. One source told reporters that more than 850 Tomahawks have been expended so far; other estimates and experts put the cumulative total since June 2025 at close to 1,000 when strikes across Iran, the Red Sea, Yemen, Nigeria and other theaters are included. There is no official consolidated public count.
Industry and Pentagon data show a significant gap between current inventories, typical procurement rates and the industrial capacity needed in a high-intensity conflict. Maximum industry output has been estimated at roughly 2,330 missiles per year based on existing contracts cited in a Center for Strategic and International Studies report — three Raytheon awards that cover about 600 missiles each and a BAE contract that can cover up to 530 annually. But under normal procurement cycles the military has been acquiring only on the order of a few dozen to around 90 Tomahawks per year; for fiscal 2026 the Navy requested just 57 missiles in Defense Department budget documents.
Inventory estimates place roughly 3,100 Tomahawk missiles in Pentagon stockpiles, according to Kelly Grieco of the Stimson Center, who notes efforts to build long-range strike stockpiles have repeatedly been undercut by heavy operational use. The recent operational tempo has therefore drawn down those reserves faster than they can be replaced under existing production rates.
Manufacturers and the Pentagon are taking steps to expand capacity, but changes will be gradual. Raytheon has announced a framework agreement with the Defense Department intended to scale production toward about 1,000 missiles per year over several years. Pentagon contract notices and CSIS summaries show engineering work aimed at increasing all-up-round production capacity; one notice indicated work to bolster capacity would continue through March 2028. Those efforts seek to raise output but cannot immediately match short-term surges in demand.
What a Tomahawk is and how it’s used
The Tomahawk is a long-range, precision-guided cruise missile launched from Navy surface ships and submarines. Capable of striking well over 1,000 miles with high accuracy, it has been continuously upgraded since the Cold War era and is primarily fielded by the U.S. Navy, with variants used by other U.S. services and allied navies. Raytheon reports more than 550 flight tests and over 2,300 operational strikes historically. There is no evidence that Iran possesses or operates Tomahawk missiles.
Cost and related munitions
Unit costs vary by variant. Some Tomahawk types are commonly priced in the neighborhood of $2.2 million each; ship-capable variants that can engage moving targets can exceed $4 million, and associated ground-launch systems can add further cost. Tomahawks are only one class of advanced munitions the U.S. has expended in recent operations; officials say the military has also used Precision Strike Missiles, interceptors such as Patriot, THAAD and Standard Missiles, and other long-range weapons at a high rate.
Officials’ response and outlook
Defense leaders emphasize rebuilding manufacturing capacity and shortening lead times for “exquisite” munitions. Pentagon plans and industry actions aim to expand production over the coming years, but analysts warn the defense industrial base was shaped for predictable peacetime demand and will require time and investment to support sustained wartime surge rates. In the near term, higher operational use continues to deplete stockpiles faster than they can be refilled.