US approves sale of Tomahawk missiles to Germany

The United States has approved Germany's request to purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles, a move that will fill a significant strategic gap in Germany's defense capabilities. The agreement was finalized outside the NATO Summit in Ankara.

Friedrich Merz, Chancellor, stated that Germany would acquire and deploy the US-made Tomahawk missiles. He also affirmed Germany's commitment to developing its own European defense systems and deploying them within Europe. The announcement follows months of uncertainty regarding the potential placement of these missiles in Germany, a plan previously suggested by former US President Joe Biden.

According to German government sources, the defense ministers of both nations signed a letter of intent for the Tomahawk deal on Tuesday. This followed earlier discussions between Merz and US President Donald Trump, as well as senior security officials from both countries. The US has committed to providing official approval for the sale of the Tomahawk missiles and the Typhoon ground launcher systems by August. The exact number of missiles to be acquired remains undisclosed.

The decision comes after Merz had previously indicated that the Tomahawk deployment plan might be canceled, following a dispute with Trump over the war in Iran. The acquisition of these long-range missiles is seen as a crucial step in bolstering Germany's defense posture and addressing strategic vulnerabilities.