Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed on Thursday that the United States has formally approved the sale of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Germany, a move he described as closing a critical gap in the country's defense posture. Speaking to the Bundestag, Merz stated that the agreement was reached on the sidelines of the NATO meeting in Ankara, where he and US officials finalized plans for the deployment.
"On the sidelines of the NATO meeting in Ankara, we agreed with the American government that American Tomahawk missiles will be purchased by us and stationed in Germany," Merz told MPs. He emphasized that the acquisition would "close an important strategic gap in our defences" and noted that Berlin would simultaneously work on developing European-made systems to reduce reliance on Washington.
Details of the Deal
A German government source revealed that defense ministers from both countries signed a letter of intent on Tuesday, following negotiations between Merz and US President Donald Trump, as well as senior security officials. The letter commits the United States to granting formal approval for the sale of Tomahawk missiles and ground-based Typhoon launchers by August, though the exact number of missiles remains classified.
The Tomahawk, primarily launched from submarines and warships, has a range exceeding 1,600 kilometers, making it a potent tool for long-range precision strikes. Merz did not specify a delivery timeline, but the deal marks a significant shift from earlier doubts. In May, Merz had suggested that a planned deployment announced by former President Joe Biden was being called off.
Strategic Context and European Dependence
Berlin views the deployment as essential for deterrence against Russia, which has stationed Iskander cruise missiles in the Kaliningrad exclave, capable of striking targets across European NATO countries. Currently, no European-made alternative matches the Tomahawk's range and strike capabilities, leaving Germany and other European NATO members reliant on US systems.
On Wednesday, the United Kingdom announced that a dozen European NATO allies, including Germany, would jointly invest approximately $50 billion (€43 billion) over the next decade to develop new long-range precision strike weapons. The German government source indicated that Berlin plans to contribute roughly half of the cost of this project, signaling a push for greater European strategic autonomy.
This development comes amid broader European defense efforts, including a partnership between Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall to produce ATACMS missiles in Germany for the first time outside the US. The move underscores the continent's urgency to bolster its military capabilities in response to Russian aggression.
The approval also highlights the complex dynamics within NATO, as European members seek to balance immediate deterrence needs with long-term goals of reducing dependency on American hardware. Merz's announcement is likely to fuel debates in Berlin and Brussels about defense spending and industrial policy.
