Netherlands to power up its navy with Tomahawk missiles under $2.19 billion deal

May 2, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $2.19 billion foreign military sale (FMS) to the Netherlands involving advanced Tomahawk land attack missiles and a broad suite of related defense equipment and support services, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) revealed.

The proposed deal includes the sale of up to 163 Tomahawk Block V All-Up-Round (AUR) missiles, 12 Tomahawk Block IV AURs, 10 Tactical Tomahawk weapons control systems (TTWCS), and two Block IV telemetry missiles. In addition to the munitions, the package covers critical support infrastructure such as satellite data link terminals, secure communication systems, missile containers, training, software, and maintenance services.

The Netherlands is expected to integrate the Tomahawks into its military ‘with ease’, enhancing its long-range strike capabilities against evolving threats. These cruise missiles, known for their precision and extended range, are expected to bolster the Netherlands’ conventional surface-to-surface warfare capacity.

“This sale supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening the defense posture of a trusted NATO ally,” the DSCA stated in its official notification to Congress.

“The proposed sale will improve the Netherland’s capability to meet current and future threats.”

RTX Corporation, based in Tucson, Arizona, will serve as the principal contractor for the deal. The agreement includes known offset requirements, though further details were not disclosed in the initial release.

Officials emphasized that the sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region but will help ensure interoperability among NATO forces in an increasingly complex European security environment.

Tomahawk is a GPS-guided weapon that launches from ships and submarines and can strike targets precisely from 1,000 miles away, even in heavily defended airspace. The US Navy received the first next-generation Tomahawk Block V cruise missile in 2021.