Germany secures US Tomahawk cruise missile sale to boost long‑range strike capability

Germany has reached an agreement with the United States to purchase long‑range Tomahawk cruise missiles, a deal approved by the U.S. State Department. Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the arrangement on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, saying the missiles will be stationed in Germany to close a strategic gap in its defence against Russian threats. The Tomahawk can travel more than 1,600 km and is typically launched from submarines, warships, or ground‑based Typhoon launchers. While the exact number of missiles remains classified, the United States has committed to formal approval by August, though delivery dates were not disclosed.

The acquisition complements a broader NATO effort, with twelve European allies, including Germany, planning to invest about €43 billion over the next decade in new long‑range precision‑strike weapons. Berlin is expected to cover roughly half of this cost. Earlier doubts about the purchase, linked to U.S. stockpiles being diverted to conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, have been set aside as Berlin seeks to enhance its deterrence posture.

The deal underscores Germany’s aim to strengthen both immediate defence capabilities and longer‑term European self‑reliance in high‑end weaponry.