Merz said the agreement was finalized this week on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, and is intended to address what he described as a significant gap in Germany’s military capabilities.

“This will close an important strategic gap in our defense, and at the same time, we will work to develop our own European systems and station them in Europe,” Merz told lawmakers in the German parliament after returning from the summit.

Germany expands long-range strike capability

The agreement follows years of discussions between Berlin and Washington, with successive German governments seeking approval since 2023 to acquire the long-range missile system.

Under the deal, the United States is expected to grant Germany formal approval in August to purchase an undisclosed number of Tomahawk cruise missiles along with ground-based Typhoon missile launchers.

The letter of intent signed Tuesday does not include the deployment of U.S. military personnel to operate the systems.

Tomahawk missile remains a key U.S. weapon

The Tomahawk cruise missile has been part of the U.S. military’s arsenal since the 1980s and is designed to strike targets deep inside enemy territory.

Although slower than many modern missiles, it flies at an altitude of about 30 meters (100 feet), making it more difficult for air defense systems to detect and intercept.

The missile has a range of approximately 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) and uses precision guidance technology to accurately engage strategic targets far beyond the battlefield.

Broader U.S.-Europe defense cooperation

The agreement reflects expanding defense cooperation between the United States and its European allies as NATO members continue strengthening their military capabilities following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The missile deal also represents a broader transfer of U.S. defense technology to key European partners as governments across the continent seek to modernize their armed forces.

The announcement came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington would grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense systems, a move long sought by Kyiv to strengthen its ability to defend against Russian missile attacks.

For Germany, the Tomahawk purchase is expected to enhance NATO’s long-range deterrence capabilities while Berlin simultaneously pursues the development of indigenous European missile systems.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: Germany | Friedrich Merz | Tomahawk Missiles | United States | NATO | Defense | Military | Europe

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