US Navy to Deploy Anti-Ship Tomahawk Missile on Destroyers by September to Counter Chinese Power.

According to information published by Bloomberg on May 30, 2025, the United States Navy plans to deploy an anti-ship version of the Tomahawk cruise missile on its destroyers by the end of September. This new variant, derived from the well-known long-range missile originally designed for land-attack missions, is viewed by military officials as a significant enhancement to naval operational capabilities amid rising maritime tensions with China.
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The Maritime Strike Tomahawk, also referred to as Block Va, is a thoroughly modernized version of the Tomahawk cruise missile (Picture source: US DoD)

The Tomahawk, first used during the Gulf War in 1991 and more recently against Houthi targets in Yemen, has now been adapted to engage enemy ships, strengthening the U.S. arsenal in response to China’s expanding naval presence.

The Maritime Strike Tomahawk, also referred to as Block Va, is a thoroughly modernized version of the Tomahawk cruise missile. It is designed to strike moving naval targets at very long range and incorporates a multi-mode seeker system combining active radar, infrared sensors, and a two-way data link. This configuration allows the missile to receive in-flight updates, track maneuvering ships, and dynamically adjust to evolving maritime combat environments, while retaining the stealth and low-altitude flight characteristics for which the Tomahawk is known.

With an estimated range of around 1,600 kilometers, the MST enables U.S. surface ships and submarines to strike enemy naval formations without exposing themselves to opposing defenses. This capability transforms a missile traditionally dedicated to land targets into a versatile maritime superiority weapon without the need for an entirely new system. It also optimizes logistics by upgrading existing stocks of Block IV Tomahawks to the new configuration.

The U.S. Navy plans to equip its destroyers with these new missiles by September 30. Integration aboard submarines is scheduled between April and June 2026, following the completion of validation testing. According to Chip Whipkey, deputy program manager for the Tomahawk, up to 1,302 Maritime Strike Tomahawk units will be procured from RTX Corporation. This deployment is part of the Pentagon’s broader strategy under the Replicator program, which aims to field large-scale autonomous systems and drones in the Indo-Pacific region starting in August.

In parallel, the Navy is also advancing artificial intelligence capabilities in its submarine fleet, particularly in sonar systems designed to distinguish between man-made and biological acoustic sources such as marine life. This technology is already operational on Los Angeles and Virginia-class submarines, according to Navy spokesman Commander Jason Fischer.

These developments come as the United States seeks to contain the rapid expansion of the Chinese Navy, which already comprises more than 370 vessels and is expected to reach 435 by 2030. In response, the U.S. Congress has supported substantial investments in naval shipbuilding. However, Admiral Caudle has warned against a shipbuilding race based solely on fleet numbers. He argues that the focus should be on building powerful, multi-role ships with large payload capacities, such as Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and U.S. submarines.

He also pointed out the logistical challenges China will face as it expands its fleet, including the need for additional crews, maintenance resources, and port infrastructure. The introduction of the anti-ship Tomahawk thus marks a significant strategic shift for the U.S. Navy in an increasingly contested maritime environment.