Germany seeks US Tomahawk deal following dispute with Trump — FT
US-made Tomahawk cruise missile (photo: navy.mil)
Germany resumed talks with the United States on purchasing Tomahawk cruise missiles amid growing concerns that Europe may lack sufficient means to deter Russia, according to the Financial Times.
Sources familiar with the German government's strategy say Berlin is seeking an agreement with Washington to acquire Tomahawk missiles along with Typhon launch systems.
The renewed push follows the Pentagon's decision to abandon plans to deploy a US long-range artillery battalion in Germany, which was intended to be part of the European deterrence framework against Russia.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius plans a trip to Washington to revive negotiations on long-range weapons procurement. Berlin submitted a formal request to the United States last year but has not yet received an official response.
"Having strike capabilities in Europe is key," a German official told the FT.
According to the outlet, Berlin is prepared to offer additional funding to accelerate the deal. However, the situation is complicated by worsening relations between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over disputes related to the war in Iran.
The Biden administration had previously planned to deploy US long-range systems in Germany in response to Russia's deployment of Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad region.
However, after Trump returned to the White House, the Pentagon decided to relocate the US battalion elsewhere. This move followed an earlier decision to withdraw 5,000 American troops from Germany.
The FT notes that Europe currently has almost no land-based long-range strike systems that can be rapidly deployed to deter Russia.
Germany's Defense Ministry confirmed that talks with the United States on weapons procurement are ongoing, but described the process as long-term.
US troop reduction in Europe
Earlier, Trump confirmed plans to reduce the US military presence in Germany, saying more than 5,000 American troops could be withdrawn from Europe.
Politico reported that some Pentagon officials were shocked by the decision, as no such withdrawal had previously been planned.
NATO, meanwhile, expects further revisions to the US military posture in Europe. According to Bloomberg, possible scenarios include reductions in troop levels in Italy and Spain, cuts to US participation in military exercises, and the Trump administration's potential abandonment of plans to deploy long-range missiles in Germany.
