Germany plans a €12B missile program to deter Putin
Internal defense ministry documents say the plan for a new long-range strike arsenal ranges from cheap cruise missiles to Tomahawks and future hypersonic weapons.
The German government estimates a need for nearly €12 billion to develop a new arsenal of long-range weapons to deter Russia, according to defense ministry documents obtained by POLITICO. This ambitious program aims to equip German forces with the capability to strike targets hundreds or thousands of kilometers behind enemy lines, potentially including command centers, airfields, missile launchers, and supply hubs.
The effort has been deemed a top priority for both Germany and NATO, as European countries are rearming to counter what they perceive as a growing Russian threat. The plan is structured into four main components, with the first weapons set to be deployed as early as next year and the most advanced systems planned for completion by the middle of the next decade.
Germany's defense ministry has not yet approved the funding, but estimates suggest it could amount to almost €12 billion, with €9 billion allocated for development and procurement, €182 million for maintenance, and €97 million for ongoing service. The most immediate component involves the deployment of a low-cost cruise missile by 2027, with three potential candidates being considered: Covenant Industries' Anthem missile, a Ukrainian-supplied BARS missile, and Fire Point's Flamingo.
Contracts are currently being negotiated with two of these suppliers, with the aim of receiving operational missiles by next year. Germany has also secured an agreement with the U.S. to acquire Tomahawk cruise missiles, which will be deployed in Germany by the end of the decade. This purchase is intended to fill a strategic gap while European alternatives are being developed.
Additionally, Germany and the U.K. are jointly working on a new high-end cruise missile and a hypersonic glide weapon, with an initial capability expected by the middle of the next decade. This comprehensive missile plan represents a significant shift in Germany's defense strategy, moving away from waiting for a single European missile and instead embracing a multi-pronged approach, including cost-effective missiles, American Tomahawks, and future European weapons.
Written by urgent.news from Politico EU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
