Germany is making a fresh attempt to purchase American-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, with the country's defence minister planning a visit to Washington after Chancellor Friedrich Merz's reported falling-out with US President Donald Trump complicated earlier acquisition efforts.
Germany is pressing ahead with efforts to acquire Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States, despite recent diplomatic turbulence between Berlin and Washington, according to the Financial Times.
The German defence minister is preparing a trip to Washington to advance the purchase, which had stalled following a reported rift between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump. The nature of the dispute has not been fully detailed in available reporting, but it appears to have complicated what would otherwise be a straightforward allied arms transaction.
The Tomahawk, a long-range, subsonic cruise missile manufactured by Raytheon Technologies, has become a sought-after capability for NATO allies looking to bolster their conventional strike deterrence. The weapon has a range of approximately 1,600 kilometres and can carry conventional warheads with high precision, making it attractive for countries seeking to strengthen their defence postures amid ongoing concerns about European security.
Germany's renewed interest in the missiles reflects a broader shift in German defence policy since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Under the so-called Zeitenwende — or "turning point" — declared by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Berlin committed to significantly increasing defence spending and acquiring capabilities long considered politically sensitive in postwar Germany.
The acquisition of long-range precision strike weapons represents a significant step in that transformation. Germany has already committed to purchasing the ATACMS missile system and has expanded its defence budget toward the NATO target of two percent of GDP, a threshold it has now exceeded under pressure from both domestic politics and allied expectations.
The planned ministerial visit underscores Berlin's determination to keep the Tomahawk acquisition on track despite the diplomatic complications. Transatlantic arms deals of this nature typically require US government approval through the Foreign Military Sales process, meaning a positive bilateral relationship remains a practical necessity regardless of political tensions.
The episode highlights the broader challenge facing European NATO members who are simultaneously trying to reduce strategic dependence on the United States while remaining reliant on American weapons systems and export approvals for key capabilities. Germany, as Europe's largest economy and a central NATO member, finds itself navigating that tension acutely.
Neither the German government nor the US State Department had issued formal public comment on the ministerial visit at the time of publication.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Germany acquiring Tomahawks would mark a significant expansion of European long-range strike capability, with implications for NATO deterrence strategy along its eastern flank.
- The diplomatic friction between Merz and Trump illustrates the fragility of transatlantic arms cooperation when bilateral political relations are strained, a vulnerability European capitals are increasingly aware of.
- If Germany succeeds, it could encourage other NATO allies to pursue similar acquisitions, accelerating a broader European rearmament trend.
Background
Germany's postwar constitution and political culture long constrained its military ambitions, with successive governments avoiding offensive weapons systems and keeping defence spending below NATO targets. That posture began to shift markedly after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, but it was the February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine that triggered Chancellor Olaf Scholz's declaration of a Zeitenwende — a historic turning point in German security policy.
Scholz announced a one-off €100 billion special defence fund and pledged to meet the NATO two-percent spending target. His successor, Friedrich Merz, who took office following the February 2025 federal elections, has continued and in some respects deepened this trajectory, securing constitutional changes to allow greater defence borrowing.
Interest in Tomahawk missiles emerged as part of Germany's search for long-range conventional strike capabilities. The US has sold Tomahawks to several NATO allies, including the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, but each sale requires State Department approval and is subject to the state of the bilateral relationship.
Key Perspectives
German Government: Berlin views the Tomahawk acquisition as a necessary component of credible deterrence, particularly given the range and precision the missile offers against potential threats to NATO's eastern members. The defence minister's planned Washington visit signals that Berlin regards the purchase as a priority worth diplomatic effort.
Washington/Trump Administration: The reported fallout between Trump and Merz introduces uncertainty. The Trump administration has repeatedly pressured European allies to spend more on defence while simultaneously showing unpredictability in its bilateral dealings, creating a complex environment for arms transfer approvals.
Critics and Sceptics: Some analysts caution that European reliance on American weapons systems — which require US export approvals and, in some configurations, US consent to use — undermines the strategic autonomy that European leaders say they seek. Others within Germany question whether long-range strike capabilities risk escalation dynamics with Russia.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the German defence minister's Washington visit and whether a formal sales agreement or letter of intent is announced.
- Whether the Merz-Trump relationship improves sufficiently to allow routine arms cooperation to proceed, or whether political tensions continue to delay the acquisition.
- Broader European responses: if Germany's purchase proceeds, watch for similar requests from Poland, the Baltic states, or other NATO allies seeking comparable strike depth.