Inside Germany's roughly $14 billion plan to deter Russia with a new arsenal of deep-strike missiles
Germany is planning a $14 billion investment in long-range missile systems to enhance its strategic defense capabilities against Russia. The proposed arsenal includes cruise and hypersonic missiles designed to strike deep into adversary territory.
Why it matters
This significant defense spending reflects a shift in European military strategy and an effort to bolster NATO's conventional deterrence capabilities in response to regional security threats.
A Bundeswehr soldier looks out of a military vehicle Hannes P. Albert/picture alliance via Getty Images Documents show Germany plans to invest roughly $14 billion in long-range weapons to counter Russia. Germany aims for low-cost missiles by 2027, internal defense ministry documents show. Germany intends to collaborate on Tomahawks and hypersonic missiles for strategic defense. BERLIN — The German government expects it will need almost €12 billion — roughly $14 billion — to build a new arsenal of long-range weapons aimed at deterring Russia, according to defense ministry documents seen by POLITICO. The weapons would give German forces the ability to hit military targets hundreds or even thousands of kilometers behind the front — including command centers, airfields, missile launchers, and supply hubs. Internal documents call the effort a top priority for both Germany and NATO.
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