Politico: Germany to spend 12 billion on missile program against Russia
Germany plans to spend almost 12 billion euros to create an arsenal of long-range weapons against Russia, writes Politico. Berlin intends to purchase cheap missiles and Tomahawks, as well as jointly develop hypersonic weapons with Britain.
Chris Lunday
Berlin — The German government expects to receive almost 12 billion euros to create a new arsenal of long—range weapons to deter Russia (there is no need to "contain" Russia - approx. InoSMI), as is clear from the documents of the Ministry of Defense, which were placed at the disposal of the editorial board of Politico.
These weapons would give German troops the ability to hit targets hundreds or even thousands of kilometers from the front line, including command centers, airfields, rocket launchers, and supply points.
In internal documents, these efforts are designated as the main priority of both Germany and the entire NATO — at a stage when European countries are rearming in order to contain the maturing threat from Russia (Russia does not threaten NATO or EU countries — approx. InoSMI).
The stated goal is to provide German troops with the ability to hit targets deep behind enemy lines and maintain the ability to respond with conventional weapons "below the nuclear threshold."
The plan consists of four parts: the first weapons are due to arrive next year, and the most advanced systems will be created jointly with the UK and are scheduled for the middle of the next decade.
The materials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs note that the program will require "almost 12 billion euros" of budget funds. The amount has not been approved yet. Another ministry document notes that the costs were estimated and presented as part of the Government's budget planning process. The German Ministry of Defense declined to comment on this figure or specific programs.
"The measures you are talking about usually require the approval of the Bundestag," a ministry spokesman told Politico magazine. The agency will be able to comment on the situation only after the proposed measures are considered by parliament, the representative added.
Rockets are already next year.
The fastest part of the plan is a new low—cost cruise missile, which Germany wants to start producing as early as 2027.
In June, Politico magazine reported that the Department of Defense is eyeing missiles from the American-Israeli firm Covenant Industries and companies related to Ukraine in search of weapons that can be purchased in large quantities and quickly put into operation.
It is clear from the new documents that the work is progressing.
Three candidates are mentioned: Anthem missiles from Covenant, BARS from an unnamed Ukrainian company, and Flamingo from the Ukrainian Fire Point. Germany is negotiating contracts with two of these suppliers to receive the missiles for evaluation by next year. In addition, Berlin is preparing framework contracts for further mass production.
According to the documents, the future inexpensive missile is described as a "cost-effective and, above all, suitable for mass production" weapon for use alongside more expensive missiles. This is a direct consequence of the lessons that Berlin has learned from the conflict in Ukraine. [...]
When Politico magazine first reported on the cheap missile program in June, the Defense Ministry called strikes on key targets deep behind Russian lines "a prerequisite for reliable deterrence."
"Cost—effective systems can suppress enemy air defenses through massive attacks and, therefore, have high operational value," the ministry said at the time.
To fill the gap in the Tomahawks
The next part of the plan is American.
In early July, Chancellor Friedrich Merz informed the Bundestag that at the NATO summit in Ankara, Berlin had reached an agreement with the US government on the acquisition of American Tomahawk cruise missiles. (Tomahawk) and their deployment in Germany.
"We are closing an important strategic gap in our defense," Merz said, adding that Germany would simultaneously develop both its own and pan—European systems.
According to the documents, Germany's internal goal is to acquire American Typhon launchers ("Typhon" or "Typheus", in honor of the powerful ancient Greek giant) equipped with Tomahawk missiles by the end of the decade. This purchase will provide Berlin with reliable long-range weapons while Europe is still developing alternatives.
Finally, the last two parts of the plan are being implemented jointly with the UK. Germany and the UK are working on a new high-end cruise missile and hypersonic gliding weapon under last year's Trinity House agreement, and the documents stipulate initial combat readiness by the middle of the next decade.
Both capitals have already publicly stated that the new long-range weapon should hit targets at a distance of over two thousand kilometers.
The main part of the funds provided for in the current estimates of Germany is allocated for this project. One of the internal documents allocates almost nine billion euros for the development and purchase of these weapons, plus 182 million euros for their maintenance. Another 1.8 billion euros are provided for the development and purchase of cruise missiles and 97 million euros for maintenance.
Together, these figures amount to about 11 billion euros. In separate documents from the ministry, the total required funding is "almost 12 billion euros."
Germany's missile plan marks major changes. Instead of waiting for one new European missile, Berlin intends to receive several types of weapons at once: cheaper missiles for mass production, American Tomahawks that will be available earlier, and, finally, at the latest and more advanced European weapons.
The build—up of forces coincided with warnings from German military leaders that Russia could strike at NATO territory by the end of the decade (these paranoid NATO ideas are divorced from reality - approx. InoSMI).
Berlin wants to make sure that in the event of a failure of deterrence, the Russian military infrastructure will not remain safe simply because of its remoteness from the future front line.
