The United States Navy plans to significantly expand its purchase of long-range anti-ship missiles (LRASM), strengthening its strategy for potential maritime conflicts.
In the fiscal year 2027 budget submitted to Congress, approximately $907 million is allocated for the acquisition of 177 units. The high value and continued investment indicate that this weapon has become a central element in the country’s naval military planning.
The pace of procurement reinforces this priority. In 2026, the Navy acquired 200 missiles for approximately $1 billion, while in the previous year it purchased 164 units. This sequence of large-scale acquisitions demonstrates a deliberate effort to increase stockpiles of the weapon, consolidating LRASM as one of the main offensive assets in maritime warfare scenarios.
Designed to strike vessels with high precision, LRASM stands out for its ability to operate autonomously. The missile flies at low altitude, avoids radar detection, and uses advanced sensors to locate and attack targets without the need for constant guidance. This technology makes it more effective against modern ships equipped with sophisticated defense systems capable of intercepting conventional threats.
The strengthening of this arsenal comes amid the rapid expansion of China’s shipbuilding industry, which has been increasing its fleet at a faster pace than the United States. In this context, the Pentagon sees LRASM as one of the main responses to help balance forces in the maritime domain. Although final approval depends on Congress, recent investment trends indicate strong institutional support for expanding the program.
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Source: Defence Blog | Photo: X @AirPowerNEW1 | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
In addition to the 1,000 FAMM P/L missiles included in the FY-2027 request, the US Air Force also plans to purchase another 1,155 strike missiles in Fiscal Year 2027 covering both discretionary and mandatory funding sources. This includes more than 820 JASSM-ER missiles, 150+… pic.twitter.com/F0rPlCN9R0
— Air-Power | MIL-STD (@AirPowerNEW1) April 22, 2026
