Germany Plans Massive Long-Range Military Buildup Including Israeli Cruise Missiles Against Russia

Germany's Ministry of Defense is preparing an extensive military enhancement program focused on acquiring long-range weapons to deter Russia and enable strikes deep within Russian territory. The nearly 12 billion euro initiative, revealed in internal German defense documents obtained by Politico, aims to equip the German military with capabilities to target command centers, airports, missile launchers, and logistics hubs thousands of kilometers from the front lines.

A key element of the program is the planned deployment of relatively inexpensive cruise missiles, including an Israeli-made missile from Covenant Industries, a US-Israeli startup. Germany is evaluating three missile candidates: the Israeli Anthem missile, and two Ukrainian missiles, BARS and Flamingo, the latter already used effectively by Ukrainian forces against Russian targets. Contracts are being negotiated to enable certification and training with these missiles as early as 2027, with framework agreements for mass production to follow.

Following this initial phase, Germany will acquire American Tomahawk cruise missiles, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz announcing a NATO summit agreement to purchase and station these missiles in Germany. This acquisition aims to close a strategic gap in Germany's defense and provide a proven long-range strike capability while European systems are still under development. Germany and the US expect initial operational capability with Typhon launchers equipped with Tomahawks by the end of the decade.

The final phases involve advanced weapons development in partnership with the United Kingdom under the Trinity House agreement. This includes next-generation cruise missiles and hypersonic glide weapons capable of striking targets over 2,000 kilometers away, with initial operational capability expected by the mid-2030s. This joint effort accounts for the largest portion of the planned investment, with nearly 9 billion euros allocated for development and procurement, plus additional funds for maintenance.

This comprehensive approach marks a significant shift in Germany's military strategy, moving away from reliance on a single European system to a diversified arsenal of cost-effective mass-produced missiles, American Tomahawks, and advanced European weapons. The program responds to warnings from German military officials about Russia's potential to strike NATO countries by the decade's end and aims to ensure that Russian military infrastructure cannot be considered safe simply due to distance from the front lines.