The US Department of State has approved the potential sales of close to 200 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (in various variants) to the Netherlands under FMS (Foreign Military Sale) program, according to a US DSCA’s (Defense Security Cooperation Agency) announcement made on April 25, 2025. The total cost of the program is estimated to be $2.19 billion.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the Netherlands has requested to buy;
- Up to 163 Tomahawk Block V All Up Rounds (AURs),
- 12 Tomahawk Block IV AURs,
- Up to 10 Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control Systems,
- 2 Tomahawk Block IV telemetry missiles.
The following non-MDE items will also be included: satellite data link terminals (KIV-18A); integrated secure broadcast systems (KSX-5); communications security devices (KGV-135A); technical, programmatic, engineering, and logistical support for the Tomahawk AUR missiles, TTWCS, and Mission Distribution Software; missile containers; software; hardware; training; training devices; unscheduled missile maintenance; spares; in-service support; communication equipment; operational flight test; publications; engineering and technical expertise to maintain the capability; non-recurring engineering; transportation; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $2.19 billion.
The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation, located in Tucson, AZ. There are known offset requirements associated with this sale.
The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.
The proposed sale will improve the Netherland’s capability to meet current and future threats by utilizing long-range, conventional surface-to-surface missiles with significant standoff range that can neutralize growing threats. The Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.
Naval News comment
The decision to procure Tomahawk missiles was publicly made in April 2023 by the Dutch State Secretary for Defence as part of a “maritime strike” capability for the RNLN. The Netherlands and the U.S. targeted an initial test launch with an LCF in 2024 but due to some delays shifted to 2025. The Tomahawk upgrade is scheduled to take place during their maintenance in the 2025-2029 period. There is also an intent to procure Tomahawks for the submarines, but this depends on the availability of the torpedo tube launched (TTL) version. For the time being, the year 2029 is assumed.
The Tomahawk capability will be installed across the navy’s four De Zeven Provincien-class frigates via the ships’ existing Lockheed Martin strike-length Mk 41 vertical launching systems (VLSs).
On March 12, 2025, the Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands announced the successful completion of the first test-firing of the Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile from De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate HNLMS De Ruyter.
About Tomahawk TLAM
Tomahawk Block IV has a longer range than its predecessors (well in excess of 1,000 miles), can be directed at a new target in mid-flight, and can also beam back images of the battlefield to its launch platform. The Royal Navy is the only foreign user of the missile to date.
According to Raytheon, U.S. and allied militaries have flight-tested the GPS-enabled Tomahawk 550 times and used it in combat more than 2,300 times. Its most recent use came in 2018, when U.S. Navy warships and submarines launched 66 Tomahawk missiles at Syrian chemical weapon facilities.
All Tomahawk Block IVs are being upgraded to Block V with longer range and dynamic targeting with the capability to hit vessels at sea (maritime strike role). Raytheon is recertifying and modernizing the missile, extending its service life by 15 years, and resulting in the new Tomahawk Block V series:
- Block V: A modernized TACTOM with upgraded navigation and communication
- Block Va: Block V that can strike moving targets at sea
- Block Vb: Block V, with a joint multi-effects warhead that can hit more diverse land targets
On the international front, the UK Royal Navy is so far the only user of the cruise missile outside of the US. This is about to change however, with both Australia and Japan in the process of procuring Tomahawk missiles, in addition to the Netherlands.
