Pentagon Likely to Cancel Tomahawk Sale to Germany, Leaving Berlin Seeking Long-Range Alternatives
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 4
Pentagon Likely to Cancel Tomahawk Sale to Germany, Leaving Berlin Seeking Long-Range Alternatives
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 4
Summary
Germany’s 18-month-old request to buy U.S. Tomahawk missiles is likely to be rejected, a setback for Berlin’s push to quickly build long-range strike capability.
Boris Pistorius said last month he had little hope of approval, despite raising the issue in Washington in July 2025 and seeking the Typhon launcher that can fire Tomahawks.
German planners are now weighing European options to close the gap through off-the-shelf buys, joint production with allies or longer-term domestic development.
Drones and cheaper systems may help, but officials do not see them as a full substitute for Tomahawk-class weapons.
The likely cancellation underscores broader concern in Berlin that a U.S. pullback will force Europe to fill military shortfalls faster than its defense industry can deliver.