Germany Accelerates Development of Long-Range Weapons Amid Russian 'Iskander' Threat
Following U.S. refusal to deploy Tomahawk missiles, Germany prioritizes own missile systems to maintain European deterrence.
Germany is speeding up the development of its own long-range missile systems in response to the threat posed by Russian "Iskander" missile deployments in the Kaliningrad region. This move follows the United States' decision not to station Tomahawk cruise missiles on German soil, prompting Berlin to prioritize domestic defense capabilities.
Strategic Shift in European Defense Planning
At a press briefing in Berlin on May 4, government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius emphasized the necessity to focus on indigenous missile development to avoid a gap in deterrence capacity. He clarified that the U.S. Tomahawk deployment in Germany was initially considered a temporary measure.
"This program is a response to Russian rearmament with new long-range weapon systems. You are aware of the ‘Iskanders’ stationed in Kaliningrad and other locations. This is a threat to Europe, which we are aiming to counter with this defensive strategy," Kornelius stated.
Germany is collaborating with European partners on the European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA), a joint initiative to develop advanced precision long-range weapons including cruise missiles and drones. The program is designed to bolster European defense against emerging Russian capabilities.
U.S. Decision and Its Impact on German Defense Strategy
Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed in a televised interview on May 3 that the U.S. currently does not plan to place Tomahawk missiles in Germany, citing that these missiles are needed by the U.S. military. This decision aligns with an earlier 2024 agreement between then U.S. President Joe Biden and former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, where the deployment was intended as a deterrent signal amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Germany’s Ministry of Defense announced efforts to enhance both national and European deterrence capabilities, including upgrading the German TAURUS cruise missile system. The ministry also reinforced the ELSA project’s role in creating a comprehensive package of deterrence measures at national, European, and NATO alliance levels.
Political Calls for Enhanced Defense Cooperation
Members of the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) have advocated for stronger defense collaboration with Ukraine, including joint development of medium-range weapons. CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter criticized the previous U.S. administration's withdrawal from Tomahawk deployments as a significant strategic error.
Kiesewetter warned that the shortage of U.S. medium-range missile systems undermines Europe's ability to counter the nuclear threat from Russia. He proposed that Europe urgently develop comparable systems, ideally in partnership with Ukraine, aiming to have such capabilities operational by 2030.
The overarching concern driving these developments is the projected military capability of Russia by 2029, which European and NATO officials fear could enable aggression against alliance members.
