The Dutch government is openly calling for a domestic, Tomahawk – style long-range missile, pressing the country’s defense industry to move fast and reduce reliance on foreign strike systems.

State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman said the Netherlands must quickly field its own precision weapon, arguing that long – range deterrence can no longer be outsourced, according to a report by BNR Nieuwsradio.

The call comes as defense spending climbs and new equipment — including Dutch-made drones developed with the 43rd Brigade — takes center stage. The backpack-sized reconnaissance drones, which performed strongly in Ukraine, will now enter industrial production.

Tuinman stressed, however, that drones alone are insufficient. He wants several Dutch companies to jointly design a simpler, cheaper, rapidly manufacturable alternative to the US Tomahawk that could be built in quantity and fielded within months.

If industry delivers a workable design, he said the government is ready to commit to multi – year procurement and that it could appeal to European partners such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Greece, all of which are seeking affordable precision – strike options.

The US Tomahawk’s Mark
The US – made Tomahawk cruise missile has long been the benchmark for long-range precision strike, prompting several US allies to procure it.

The United Kingdom is the most established foreign operator, having deployed submarine-launched Tomahawks in Iraq, Libya, and Syria.

Australia has also moved to acquire Tomahawk missiles to arm its Hobart – class destroyers and future platforms as part of its long – range strike modernization.

Both countries view the system as a critical capability for projecting power and deterring regional threats.

Japan joined that group more recently, approving procurement to extend its stand-off strike range in response to evolving security challenges in the Indo – Pacific.

• The Defense Post