US blocks Tomahawk sale to NATO ally over fears of Russia - Politico
American-made Tomahawk missile (Photo: navy_mil)
The Pentagon is likely to cancel the plan to supply Tomahawk missiles to Germany over concerns that Russia would perceive it as an escalation. This is another step in the massive US retreat from its commitments to NATO, reports Politico.
Why the US is backing out
According to two European officials and one American official, Washington fears that deploying precision-guided missiles in the heart of Europe could provoke a response from Moscow. Any decision to cancel the agreement, made during the Biden administration, would leave Berlin without weapons that German leaders consider critical.
The second factor is the depletion of American stockpiles. The US expended thousands of Tomahawk and Patriot missiles in the first weeks of the war with Iran. Defense Secretary Hegseth told Congress that rebuilding the stockpiles will take months and years.
A broader US retreat from NATO
The cancellation of Tomahawk supplies is part of a larger withdrawal of Washington from its allies:
- In the spring, the Pentagon canceled the deployment of 5,000 American soldiers in Germany;
- Reductions of fighter jets, drones, and naval units in the region have been announced;
- NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Grinkevich stated that Europe can and should take responsibility for its own defense.
Berlin's reaction
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius admitted a month ago that the request to purchase Tomahawk missiles was submitted a year and a half ago, and there is still no response.
"But to be honest, given the current state of the world, I don’t have much hope in that regard," he said.
Threat from the East
Against the backdrop of the US withdrawal, Russia has deployed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad and Oreshnik medium-range missiles in Belarus, which can reach any point in Europe within minutes. Berlin is looking for European alternatives but admits that it will not be possible to close the gaps faster than the defense industry allows.
Amid the US retreat, Europe is accelerating its own rearmament. France, Britain, and Germany are joining forces to develop hypersonic long-range missiles – participation in the program is intended to reduce the gap between nuclear and conventional deterrents.
Meanwhile, NATO intelligence has recorded activity of Russia's Northern Fleet, which may indicate Moscow's attempts to place nuclear missiles on the seabed.
