Germany Weighs Tomahawk Missiles Purchase as Stopgap Before European ELSA

9 February, 2025 Mk.70 Typhon. Photo credits: US Army Germany is discussing the possibility of purchasing American BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles as an interim solution until the completion of the European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA) cruise missile project.

This was reported by Hartpunkt, citing sources in the German defense ministry. It is reported that it is not known how far the discussion of this issue has progressed. According to Hartpunkt, due to the upcoming parliamentary elections in Germany and the formation of a new government, it is currently difficult to assess the prospects for the purchase of missiles.

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Launch of a Tomahawk cruise missile by a Typhon ground-based system. Photo: US Army

An additional obstacle to the realization of these plans may be the new U.S. administration led by Donald Trump.

In recent years, the United States has been open to exporting Tomahawk missiles to its closest allies, particularly in Europe. The British and Australian navies are already using these missiles, and Canada, Japan, and the Netherlands are also planning to adopt them. There are also plans to equip the German Type 127 frigates, which are due to enter service in the next decade, with Tomahawks.

However, there is no final decision on the part of the United States yet.

A Tomahawk cruise missile launched from the Australian destroyer Brisbane (DDG-41), December 2024. Photo: Royal Australian Navy

Germany is likely to purchase both sea- and land-based missiles, i.e., the Typhon system. On January 26, it was reported that Diehl Defense had received an order to develop an IDAS anti-aircraft system for submarines, which will allow it to shoot down anti-submarine aircraft in the underwater position.

This is a project that was launched by German companies Diehl Defense, Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft, and Norwegian company Kongsberg back in the 2000s.

The prototype system began ground testing in 2006, but has since become a real long-term project.