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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Conflict & Security

Germany to Buy US Tomahawk Missiles, Station Them at Home

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Germany will purchase US Tomahawk cruise missiles and station them in the country, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced.
  • Merz stated the decision, made on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, aims to close a strategic defense gap and complement European systems.
  • The chancellor also touted domestic reforms and a submarine deal with Canada as evidence of his government's effectiveness.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Germany's agreement to purchase US Tomahawk cruise missiles, a move he stated would be based in Germany. Merz, speaking to the Bundestag after returning from the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, framed the decision as a crucial step to bolster national defense.

On the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara we also agreed with the American government that Tomahawk missiles would be purchased by us and stationed in Germany.

— Friedrich MerzAnnouncing the agreement to purchase Tomahawk missiles during a speech to the Bundestag.

"On the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara we also agreed with the American government that Tomahawk missiles would be purchased by us and stationed in Germany," Merz told parliament. He emphasized that this acquisition would "close an important strategic gap in our defense." Simultaneously, he indicated a commitment to developing and deploying independent European defense systems.

With this we are closing an important strategic gap in our defense. And at the same time we will work on developing our own European systems and deploying them in Europe.

— Friedrich MerzExplaining the strategic importance of the Tomahawk missile purchase and the parallel development of European defense systems.

Merz presented the missile deal as one of several "results" from the NATO summit that "exceeded all of my expectations," asserting the alliance's unity and strength. He also highlighted a significant military contract for TKMS submarines to be sold to Canada, calling it the largest in modern German history. These agreements, he argued, demonstrate NATO's enduring trans-Atlantic nature while underscoring Europe's responsibility for its own security.

the results of this week's NATO summit in Turkey exceeded all of my expectations, saying it had showed that the alliance was "united, strong and self-confident."

— Friedrich MerzDescribing the outcomes of the NATO summit in Ankara.

Beyond foreign policy and defense, Merz dedicated a significant portion of his address to domestic priorities. He sought support for his coalition's summer reform package, encompassing pensions, welfare, healthcare, and income tax. He described these reforms as aimed at increasing business flexibility, preserving the welfare state, and providing tax relief for workers. Merz cited this legislative push as proof that "the center delivers," despite internal coalition challenges and opposition efforts to halt votes through the Constitutional Court.

we as Europeans are also strong, and we have understood that we cannot simply outsource our security.

— Friedrich MerzEmphasizing European strength and responsibility for security during his Bundestag address.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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