Germany to Purchase 400 US Tomahawk Missiles for Long-Range Strike Capability
On July 9, 2026, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Germany’s purchase of up to 400 U.S. Tomahawk Block Vb cruise missiles and Typhon ground launchers, valued at over $1 billion. The deal, finalized on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, shifts from planned U.S. deployments to Germany’s own long-range strike capability, closing a strategic defense gap. The move follows U.S. President Trump’s reduction of American troops in Germany and aims to deter Russia, which has deployed Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad. Germany also plans to develop European missile systems.
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Rutte Praises German Purchase of US Tomahawk Missiles, Reassures Moscow on Deterrence
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised Germany's planned purchase of US Tomahawk cruise missiles as 'excellent news,' emphasizing that the deployment is solely for credible deterrence and not escalation against Russia. The deal was announced at the NATO summit in Ankara, following German Chancellor Friedrich Merz securing approval from US President Donald Trump. The Tomahawk missiles have a range of approximately 2,500 kilometers, significantly surpassing Germany's current Taurus system (500 km range). Rutte stressed that NATO is a defensive alliance and will never attack anyone. The Typhon launch systems will be part of collective NATO deterrence. The number of systems and purchase price remain undisclosed. The Trump administration does not consider itself bound by a previous Biden-era plan for US stationing of similar weapons in Germany.
Nachrichten - WELTGermany to Acquire Ground-Launched Tomahawk Cruise Missiles After US Approval
Germany has received US approval to purchase approximately 400 ground-launched Tomahawk Block Vb cruise missiles, a deal announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz following the 2026 NATO summit in Ankara. The agreement, reached between Merz and US President Donald Trump, reverses a previous cancellation of US missile deployments in Germany triggered by a political dispute over the US-Israeli war against Iran. The Tomahawks, launched from Typhon missile systems, will serve as a strategic deterrent against Russian aggression, with a range exceeding 1,660 km. The total package, including launchers, costs over $1 billion. Delivery may be delayed as manufacturer RTX prioritizes replenishing US stocks after the Iran conflict. Germany continues to collaborate with European allies on the ELSA project to develop a European long-range missile system.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikGermany to Acquire 400 Ground-Based Tomahawk Cruise Missiles from US
Germany has received US approval to purchase approximately 400 ground-based Tomahawk cruise missiles (GLCMs) as a strategic deterrent against Russian aggression in Europe. The agreement was reached between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 2026 NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8. Announcing the deal before the Bundestag on July 9, Merz stated the systems would close a significant strategic gap in German defense. The weapons are the latest Block-Vb Tomahawks, launched from Typhon missile launchers, with a range over 1,660 km. The total package costs over $1 billion. The deal marks a reversal after a previous political dispute over Germany's refusal to join the US-Israeli war against Iran led to cancellation of planned US missile deployments in Germany. Delivery may take years due to RTX production constraints. Germany continues to work with European allies on the European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA) project for a European ground-based missile system.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikGermany to Acquire Ground-Based Tomahawk Cruise Missiles After US Approval
Germany has received US approval to purchase approximately 400 ground-based Tomahawk cruise missiles (GLCMs) as a strategic deterrent against Russian aggression. The agreement was reached between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 2026 NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8. Announcing the deal to the Bundestag on July 9, Merz said it closes a strategic gap in German defense. The procurement marks a reversal after a political dispute over Germany's refusal to join the US-Israeli war against Iran led Trump to cancel planned US missile deployments in Germany. The missiles are Tomahawk Block Vb variants with a range over 1,660 km, launched from Typhon systems. The total package costs over 1 billion USD. Delivery may take years due to RTX production constraints. Germany is also participating in the European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA) project to develop a European missile system with a range over 2,000 km.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikGermany Agrees to Purchase 400 Tomahawk Cruise Missiles from US
Germany has reached an agreement with the United States to purchase 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles, according to a report by Die Welt. The Tomahawk has a range of up to 2,500 kilometers. Missile technology expert Markus Schiller commented that this acquisition would put Germany on an equal footing with Moscow in terms of strategic deterrence. The move reflects a recognition of the strategic need to deter Russia, signaling a significant shift in German defense policy and a deepening of transatlantic military cooperation.
Nachrichten - WELTGermany to Acquire Ground-Launched Tomahawk Missiles in Major NATO Shift
Germany has agreed to purchase U.S.-made ground-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles, marking a significant enhancement of its long-range strike capabilities and a shift in NATO's conventional deterrent posture against Russia. Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the deal, reached on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, stating it would close a strategic gap. The procurement includes up to 400 Tomahawk Block Vb missiles, valued at over $1 billion, and requires the acquisition of Typhon launchers. This move follows the U.S. decision to cancel plans to deploy a long-range fires battalion in Germany amid bilateral tensions. Germany currently lacks long-range artillery beyond 43 miles, making the Tomahawk, with a range exceeding 1,000 miles, a transformative capability. Germany will also work on developing European systems.
TWZGermany to Buy Ground-Launched Tomahawk Cruise Missiles from US
Germany has agreed to purchase U.S.-made Tomahawk Block Vb cruise missiles, marking a major shift in NATO's conventional strike posture. The deal, announced by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after the NATO Summit in Ankara, includes up to 400 ground-launched missiles valued at over $1 billion, to be deployed using Typhon launchers. This acquisition closes a strategic gap in Germany's long-range strike capabilities, as its current longest-range system (MARS II) only reaches about 43 miles. The move follows the United States' decision to cancel plans to station a long-range fires battalion in Germany amid strained relations. Germany becomes the first non-U.S. operator of the ground-launched Tomahawk, joining Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, and the UK who operate naval versions. The Tomahawk Block V has a range exceeding 1,000 miles and features a two-way datalink for in-flight retargeting.
TWZGermany to Buy Ground-Launched Tomahawk Missiles from US
Germany has agreed to purchase U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, marking a major shift in NATO's conventional strike posture. Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the deal, reached on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, after returning to Berlin. The acquisition includes up to 400 Tomahawk Block Vb missiles, valued at over $1 billion, along with Typhon ground launchers. This will provide Germany with a long-range strike capability far beyond its current M270 MLRS systems, which have a range of only 43 miles. The Tomahawk Block V has a range exceeding 1,000 miles. The deal comes after the United States decided to reduce its military presence in Germany by 5,000 soldiers and abandoned plans to deploy a long-range fires battalion (2MDTF) to the country. Germany will also work to develop its own European long-range systems. Outside the US, only Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, and the UK currently operate Tomahawks, all in naval variants, making Germany's ground-launched version a significant development.
TWZGermany to Buy US Tomahawk Cruise Missiles for Own Long-Range Strike Capability
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on July 9, 2026, that Germany will purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States and station them on German soil. The deal was finalized on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Ankara, with a letter of intent signed on Tuesday. Washington committed to granting approval in August for Germany to procure Tomahawk missiles and ground-based Typhon launchers. The number of missiles and launchers is classified. This move shifts from planned US deployments to Germany's own long-range strike capability, closing a critical strategic gap in defense. The purchase aligns with US President Donald Trump's push for European allies to pay for their own security. The fate of the Tomahawk supply had been unclear after Trump announced in May a reduction of US military presence in Germany, which was seen as canceling a previous plan to deploy a US battalion with Tomahawks. Germany's own Taurus missiles have a shorter range of about 311 miles compared to Tomahawks.
Military TimesGermany to Buy US Tomahawk Cruise Missiles for Own Long-Range Strike Capability
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on July 9, 2026, that Germany will purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States and station them on German soil, marking a shift from planned U.S. deployments to Germany's own long-range strike capability. Merz sealed the deal with the U.S. government on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Ankara, with Washington committing to approve the procurement of Tomahawk missiles and ground-based Typhon launchers in a letter of intent signed on Tuesday. The number of missiles and launchers is classified. The purchase aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump's push for European allies to pay for their own security, following his May announcement to reduce U.S. military presence in Germany, which effectively cancelled a previous plan to deploy a U.S. Tomahawk battalion there. Germany aims to close a critical strategic defense gap while developing its own European long-range systems. German-made Taurus missiles have a shorter range than Tomahawks.
Military TimesGermany to Buy US Tomahawk Missiles, Shifting to Own Long-Range Strike Capability
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on July 9, 2026, that Germany will purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States and station them on German soil, marking a shift from planned U.S. deployments to Germany's own long-range strike capability. Merz sealed the deal with the U.S. government on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Ankara. According to German government sources, Washington committed to granting approval in August for Germany to procure Tomahawk missiles and ground-based Typhon launchers via a letter of intent signed on Tuesday. The number of missiles and launchers is classified. The purchase aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump's push for European allies to pay for their own security. The move follows Trump's May announcement to reduce U.S. military presence in Germany, which had cast doubt on previous plans to deploy a U.S. battalion with Tomahawks as an interim deterrent against Russia. Germany already produces its own Taurus cruise missiles, but their range is significantly shorter than the Tomahawks.
Defense NewsGermany to Buy US Tomahawk Missiles, Shifting to Own Long-Range Strike Capability
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on July 9, 2026, that Germany will purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States and station them on German soil. The deal was finalized on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Ankara, with a letter of intent signed on Tuesday. Washington committed to granting approval in August for the procurement of Tomahawk missiles and ground-based Typhon launchers. The number of missiles and launchers is classified. This move shifts from a previous US plan to deploy a Tomahawk battalion in Germany, which was canceled after President Donald Trump announced a reduction in US military presence in May. Merz stated the purchase closes a critical strategic defense gap while Germany works on developing its own European long-range systems. Germany's existing Taurus cruise missiles have a significantly shorter range than the Tomahawks.
Military TimesGermany to Buy US Tomahawk Missiles, Shifting to Own Long-Range Strike Capability
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on July 9, 2026, that Germany will purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States and station them on German soil, marking a strategic shift from planned U.S. deployments to Germany's own long-range strike capability. Merz confirmed the deal was sealed on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Ankara, with Washington signing a letter of intent to approve the procurement of Tomahawk missiles and ground-based Typhon launchers in August. The number of missiles and launchers is classified. The move aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump's push for European allies to pay for their own security, following his May announcement to reduce U.S. military presence in Germany, which had cast doubt on earlier plans for a U.S. battalion equipped with Tomahawks. Germany already produces its own Taurus cruise missiles, but their range is significantly shorter than the Tomahawks.
Defense NewsGermany to Buy US Tomahawk Missiles, Shifting to Own Long-Range Strike Capability
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on July 9, 2026, that Germany will purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States and station them on German soil. The deal was finalized on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Ankara, with Washington signing a letter of intent to approve the procurement of Tomahawk missiles and ground-based Typhon launchers in August. The number of missiles and launchers is classified. This move shifts from planned US deployments to Germany's own long-range strike capability, closing a critical strategic gap in defense while Europe develops its own systems. The purchase aligns with US President Donald Trump's push for European allies to pay for their own security, following his May announcement to reduce US military presence in Germany, which had cast doubt on earlier plans for a US battalion equipped with Tomahawks. Germany's existing Taurus cruise missiles have a shorter range than the Tomahawks.
Defense NewsUS approves Tomahawk missile sale to Germany, Merz says
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced in the Bundestag that the Trump administration has approved the sale of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Germany. The announcement came one day after a key NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where world leaders announced new defense deals. Merz stated that the purchase was agreed upon with the US administration on the sidelines of the NATO meeting, and that the missiles would be stationed in Germany, closing a key strategic capability gap. He emphasized that Germany would continue working with European partners to develop indigenous long-range systems. The move revives a plan initially pledged by the Biden administration two years ago to deploy a Long-Range Fires Battalion and an Air Defence Battalion to Germany, which the Trump administration had halted in early May. It remains unclear which launcher platform Berlin will procure, though the Typhon system, capable of launching both Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 interceptors, is the preferred option within the Defence Ministry.
EuractivUS approves Tomahawk missile sale to Germany, Merz says
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced in the Bundestag that the Trump administration has approved the sale of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Germany. The announcement came one day after a key NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where world leaders announced new defence deals. Merz stated that the purchase was agreed on the sidelines of the NATO meeting and that the missiles would be stationed in Germany, closing a key strategic capability gap. He emphasized that Germany would continue working with European partners to develop indigenous long-range systems. The move revives a plan initially pledged by the Biden administration two years ago to deploy a Long-Range Fires Battalion and an Air Defence Battalion to Germany, which the Trump administration had halted in early May. It remains unclear which launcher platform Berlin will procure, though the Typhon system, capable of launching both Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 interceptors, is the preferred option within the Defence Ministry.
EuractivUSA sells Tomahawk missiles to Germany to close strategic defense gap
The United States has approved the sale of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Germany, as announced by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in a government statement on July 9, 2026. The decision, made on the sidelines of the NATO summit, aims to close a strategic gap in Germany's defense capabilities. No specific date for stationing has been set. The move comes after the Trump administration halted a previously planned stationing of a long-range fire battalion in Germany and reduced US troop presence in Europe. Germany plans to simultaneously develop its own European missile systems. The Tomahawk stationing is seen as a deterrent against Russia, which has deployed Iskander cruise missiles in Kaliningrad capable of reaching European targets. The sale also follows discussions about joint German-US production of Tomahawks in Germany.
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