Germany will procure Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States, a move that significantly enhances its own long-range strike capability and represents a shift from previous U.S. deployment plans, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced.
Merz informed lawmakers that the agreement with the U.S. government was finalized during a NATO summit in Ankara, emphasizing that the discussions had surpassed expectations. He stated that this acquisition addresses a crucial strategic deficiency in Germany's defense posture while simultaneously advancing the development and stationing of indigenous European systems.
Sources within the German government indicated that Washington has committed to approving Germany's acquisition of Tomahawk missiles and accompanying Typhon ground-based launchers. This commitment was formalized in a letter of intent signed on Tuesday, with final approval anticipated in August.
The specific quantities of missiles and launchers involved remain classified. This procurement aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump's stated objective of encouraging European allies to assume greater responsibility for their own security, including the purchase of American-made weaponry.
The future of the Tomahawk supply to Germany had been uncertain following President Trump's May announcement regarding a reduction in the U.S. military presence in the country. This decision was interpreted as a reversal of a prior administration's plan to station a U.S. battalion equipped with long-range Tomahawk missiles in Germany, which was intended as a temporary deterrent against Russia while Europe developed its own equivalent systems.
While Germany produces its own Taurus cruise missiles, their operational range of approximately 500 kilometers (311 miles) is considerably shorter—three to five times less—than that of the Tomahawk missiles.
