Ukraine War: Germany wants to buy far-reaching US rocket launchers

Germany wants to buy far -reaching rocket launchers of the Typhon type in the USA, with which destinations can be hit 2,000 kilometers away – including in Russia. “Germany can thus significantly increase its own defense ability, also significantly increase its deterrence, but also the Europe’s,” said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius after a conversation with his colleague Pete Hegseth in Washington. A decision on the procurement of weapons has not yet been made, but Pistorius has officially expressed his interest.

However, he did not achieve a final agreement on the delivery of other patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, which is to be financed by Germany with around two billion euros. The last technical, logistical and financial details would have to be clarified, but “but” seems to be solvable for both, “said the SPD politician.

Typhon: “Message of today”

It was his first visit to Washington since US President Donald Trump and his Minister of Defense Hegseth in January. After his conversation in the Pentagon, Pistorius announced as “the new news of today” that Germany has initiated the procedure for the procurement of the medium -range weapon Typhon, with which far -reaching rockets such as Tomahawk can be fired.

The Bundeswehr does not yet have such weapons with a range of 2,000 kilometers. Corresponding European systems are still available in development and, according to Pistorius, in seven to ten years at the earliest. The typhon ractic launchers are to be purchased for the transition period.

Pistorius still relies on US stationation

Since this can also take a few years, Pistorius hopes that the United States will be promised by the then US President Joe Biden from 2026 by the then US President Joe Biden. “I am very confident that the announcement of the Washington anniversary summit will stay last year,” said Pistorius. So far, there has been no confirmation of the Trump government.

In the SPD, the stationing of medium -range missiles is highly controversial in Germany. Most recently, she was criticized in the so-called “manifest” to the foreign policy of politicians of the left wing, including ex-parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich. In this part of the party, the purchase of one’s own medium -range weapons is likely to encounter resistance.

The United States is now checking whether you are ready to deliver the typhon rocket launchers. Hegseth took note of the request, Pistorius said.

Ukraine aid on detours: no patriot deal yet

Actually, the visit should be primarily about the support of Ukraine. Pistorius did not yet achieve a “deal” in the face of increasing Russian air strikes. There are still two options: Either Germany buys two immediately available systems from US stocks, which are then delivered directly to Ukraine from there. Or the Bundeswehr initially provides Ukraine two of its systems and later gets replacement from the USA.

With the patriot missiles (“Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target”), enemy aircraft, ballistic rockets and marching aircraft can be intercepted. The destinations can be hit at a distance of about 100 kilometers and at heights of 30 kilometers. The Bundeswehr has already delivered three from its originally twelve systems to Ukraine. Since she can no longer do without it, Pistorius is now going through the USA.

Pistorius adjusts to US troop deduction

Another larger topic was the US troop presence in Germany. Pistorius is now becoming a reduction in the 38,000 soldiers. He had agreed with Hegseth a close coordination of “how we can implement Step by Step such a decision if it is due”. This wants to prevent “dangerous ability gaps”.

In his first term, Trump had already planned a drastic reduction in US troops in Germany to 25,000 soldiers. When visiting Merz in the White House in early June, there was no longer any talk. If Germany wanted the American soldiers, he was ready to do so, Trump assured. “That’s no problem.”

During the Pistorius visit to Washington, it sounded different. The United States is currently reviewing troops abroad. A relocation of Europe is expected to the Indopazacifik region. Results are expected to be available in September.