The Pentagon intends to cancel the plan to supply and deploy Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany, creating a serious gap in NATO’s deterrence system on the European theater.
The decision is linked to the U.S. administration’s concerns about a possible escalation by Russia, as well as the significant depletion of American precision-guided munitions stockpiles following recent events in the Middle East. It also fits into a broader strategy of reducing the U.S. military presence in Europe.
Earlier, under the Joe Biden administration, the United States and Germany agreed to station a U.S. Army battalion in the Federal Republic of Germany equipped with long-range systems, including Typhon (MRC) launchers armed with Tomahawk Block V missiles, SM-6 missiles, and other strike assets. These missiles, with a range of up to 2,500 km, were intended to compensate for the lack of Germany’s and Europe’s own ground-launched long-range cruise missiles and to strengthen deterrence against Russia.
However, after Donald Trump came to power and the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany, the plans were revised. Chancellor Friedrich Merz previously noted that the United States “does not have enough missiles even for itself.” Germany’s Ministry of Defense confirms that there has been no “final cancellation” yet, but the chances of the deal being implemented are minimal.
In Berlin, the decision is being met with alarm. Germany is accelerating negotiations for the direct purchase of up to 400 Tomahawk missiles and Typhon systems to close the “missile gap” on its own. Experts note that without these weapons, Europe remains vulnerable to Russian missile systems in the Kaliningrad region and other areas.
The Pentagon and the Trump administration emphasize the priority of replenishing their own arsenals and reducing involvement in European affairs, while urging NATO allies to invest more actively in defense.
This situation highlights growing disagreements in transatlantic relations and accelerates discussions in Europe about developing their own long-range strike systems.