Germany Strikes Deal to Buy Tomahawk Missiles from US

The missiles can be equipped with either conventional or nuclear payloads.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivers a government statement on the current political situation during the 89th plenary session of the 21st legislative period in the German Bundestag on July 9, 2026. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa via AP

Germany has agreed to buy Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States to station at home bases as the country expands its defenses, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on July 9.

The German leader told parliament that, during the NATO meeting in Ankara, an agreement was reached with the United States to purchase the missiles.

“This closes an important strategic gap in our defense and, at the same time, we will work on developing and deploying our own European systems in Europe,” Merz said.

NATO will remain an alliance, but Germany can’t outsource its security, Merz added.

“We have every reason to be courageous, to dare to do something, to have confidence in ourselves and in our own abilities,” Merz said.

Germany is also taking on fundamental reforms in taxes, pensions, healthcare, and labor markets.

Merz has recently hinted at a tougher approach toward China as the European Union continues to strengthen its defenses and increase its presence.

The European Commission has strengthened the EU’s global role over the past few years, providing financial and arms aid to Ukraine against Russia, and bringing Ukraine, Moldova, and Western Balkan partners closer to the EU.

The U.S. Department of War also plans to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany over the next year. Germany has the second-highest number of American troops stationed in any country, with nearly 36,500.

The reduction in active troops comes after tensions flared between U.S. President Donald Trump and Merz over the Iran war. Trump said the United States was considering a plan to further reduce its troop levels in Europe. The president threatened on July 7 to pull all U.S. troops from Europe if Denmark refuses to relinquish Greenland.

“With all the money we spend to help them with Russia … we don’t have to spend any money,” Trump said. “We could remove all of our soldiers out of Europe.”

Tomahawk missiles are long-range missiles that are widely used in U.S. warfighting since the first Gulf War. They are also expensive—costing about $3.6 million each, according to the Navy.

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) fires a Tomahawk land attack missile during Operation Epic Fury on March 21, 2026. U.S. Navy Photo

The Tomahawks are precision missiles that can be launched from ships, submarines, and the ground, striking targets from 1,000 miles away. Made by Raytheon, the missiles have been used in nearly every U.S. conflict since 1991, including the latest Iran war.

The missiles can be equipped with either conventional or nuclear payloads.

Trump wrapped up his last day at the NATO summit on July 8 with a speech reiterating his warnings about the threat of communism.

(L-R) NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a welcome ceremony of allied heads of state and government, in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8, 2026. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

Trump also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the summit to discuss granting Ukraine a license to produce its own supply of Patriot air defense systems to counter missile attacks from Russia as their four-year war drags on.

The Patriot systems and Tomahawk are in high demand with lengthy delivery timelines, Trump said.

“If you order a Patriot now, you have to wait a long time for them,” Trump said. “Same thing with the Tomahawk.”