Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) views the United States commitment to supply long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles as a symbol of a productive relationship with the US. According to the minister, the US government’s decision to permit Germany to procure Tomahawk missiles and ground-based Typhon launcher systems is a strong testament to transatlantic friendship and trusted cooperation.
Pistorius explained that while Europeans continue to pursue the development of their own long-range standoff weapons, such as the Tomahawks, Germany must still acquire specific military systems and components from the United States. This foreign procurement is necessary to meet the capability building targets pledged to NATO and is essential for deterrence against potential attacks on NATO territory.
On Tuesday, during the sidelines of the NATO summit, Pistorius signed an agreement with his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth. This letter of intent outlines the possibility for Germany to purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles and their associated launch systems from the US. The arrangement stipulates that final approval for the “Foreign Military Sales”-a direct transaction between Berlin and Washington-is expected in August. For security reasons, the German government plans to keep confidential the exact number of Tomahawks that the Bundeswehr will acquire.
