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Germany has announced plans to purchase U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles and Typhon ground-based launchers, marking a major step to strengthen its long-range strike capabilities and reduce reliance on the deployment of U.S. missile systems in Europe.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed the agreement after meeting U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, saying the deal would help close a key gap in Germany’s defense capabilities while supporting Europe’s long-term military development.

The purchase represents one of Germany’s most significant missile acquisitions in recent years and reflects a broader effort by NATO members to expand their own defense capabilities amid growing security concerns across Europe.

Agreement at NATO Summit

Speaking to lawmakers after returning from the NATO Summit, Merz said Germany had finalized the agreement with the U.S. government during meetings held alongside the alliance gathering.

He described the summit as highly successful and said the discussions with allied leaders had exceeded expectations.

“We are closing a critical strategic gap in our defense, while simultaneously working to develop our own European systems and station them in Europe,” Merz said.

According to German government officials, Washington signed a letter of intent on Tuesday committing to approve Germany’s purchase of Tomahawk cruise missiles and Typhon launcher systems. Formal U.S. approval is expected in August.

The German government has not disclosed how many missiles or launchers will be purchased, describing the information as classified.

Germany’s Long-Range Strike Capability

The acquisition is intended to provide Germany with a powerful conventional long-range strike capability at a time when European nations are placing greater emphasis on deterrence and military readiness.

The Tomahawk is one of the world’s best-known long-range cruise missiles. It has been used extensively by the U.S. military for decades and is capable of striking targets more than 1,600 kilometers away with high precision.

The missiles can be launched from ships, submarines, or ground-based launchers such as the Typhon system, allowing military forces to engage strategic targets at long distances.

Germany currently operates the domestically produced Taurus cruise missile, which has a range of approximately 500 kilometers. While the Taurus remains one of Europe’s most capable air-launched cruise missiles, its range is significantly shorter than that of the Tomahawk.

The new acquisition will therefore expand Germany’s ability to conduct long-range conventional strikes and improve its contribution to NATO’s collective deterrence posture.

Typhon Launcher System

Along with the missiles, Germany plans to acquire the U.S. Army’s Typhon launcher system. The Typhon is a mobile, ground-based missile launcher capable of firing both Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) interceptors. The system is designed to provide flexible long-range precision strike capabilities and can be rapidly deployed where needed.

The combination of Tomahawk missiles and Typhon launchers will give Germany an independent land-based long-range strike capability that it has not previously possessed.

The agreement also marks a change from earlier plans that envisioned U.S. forces deploying Tomahawk missiles to Germany.

Under previous arrangements, Washington had planned to station a U.S. Army unit equipped with long-range missile systems in Germany as an interim measure while European countries developed comparable capabilities.

However, uncertainty emerged after President Trump announced in May that the United States would reduce its military presence in Germany.

The decision raised questions about the future of the planned deployment, prompting Berlin to pursue its own acquisition of the missile systems instead. Rather than relying on U.S.-operated missiles stationed on German territory, Berlin will now own and operate the capability itself.

NATO’s Defense Strategy

The purchase aligns with NATO’s broader efforts to strengthen conventional deterrence and improve the alliance’s ability to respond to emerging security challenges.

Long-range precision strike weapons have become an increasingly important element of NATO’s defense planning following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the growing emphasis on rapid response and deep-strike capabilities.

Alliance leaders meeting in Ankara agreed on a range of measures to strengthen defense production, improve military readiness, and expand Europe’s industrial defense base.

Germany has been one of the countries that have significantly increased defense spending and invested in new military capabilities as part of its long-term modernization plans. The acquisition of Tomahawk missiles is expected to become another major component of that effort.

European Defense Development

While purchasing American missile systems, Germany also intends to continue investing in European-developed long-range weapons.

Merz stressed that Berlin’s goal is not only to strengthen immediate military capabilities but also to support the development of future European defense technologies.

Germany is working with several European partners on next-generation missile and precision-strike programs designed to enhance the continent’s strategic autonomy over the coming years.

Officials say the Tomahawk purchase will serve as an important capability until future European systems become operational.

Growing European Security Investment

The agreement also reflects Washington’s long-standing call for European allies to assume greater responsibility for their own defense.

President Trump has repeatedly urged NATO members to increase military spending and invest more heavily in their own armed forces, including through the purchase of U.S.-made defense equipment.

Germany’s decision to acquire Tomahawk missiles and Typhon launchers fits within that broader strategy while providing Berlin with a significantly enhanced long-range conventional strike capability.

As NATO continues adapting to evolving security challenges, the acquisition is expected to strengthen Germany’s role within the alliance and improve its ability to contribute to collective defense operations across Europe.