Germany eyes US-made Typhon missile launchers capable of reaching Russia

Germany has officially expressed interest in purchasing US-made long-range Typhon missile systems, capable of striking targets up to 2,000 kilometers away — a range that includes parts of Russia. The announcement came following a meeting between German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, in Washington.

Pistorius said the acquisition would significantly enhance both Germany’s and Europe’s defence and deterrence capabilities. While no final decision has been made on the procurement, he confirmed that Germany had initiated the process to acquire the Typhon medium-range missile launchers, which can fire advanced weaponry such as Tomahawk cruise missiles, Caliber.Az reports per German media.

The Bundeswehr, German Armed Forces, currently lacks weapon systems with such extensive range. According to Pistorius, comparable European missile systems remain in development and are not expected to be operational for another seven to ten years. He noted that the US-made Typhon systems would serve as a transitional measure until European alternatives become available.

During his visit — his first to Washington since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Hegseth in January — Pistorius also discussed a separate German initiative to finance additional Patriot air defence systems for Ukraine. However, the two sides did not reach a final agreement. Pistorius indicated that while technical, logistical, and financial aspects still needed to be resolved, they appeared manageable from both countries’ perspectives.

The Typhon system, officially designated as the Mid-Range Capability (MRC), is a mobile, ground-based launcher developed by the US Army. It can deploy both Tomahawk cruise missiles, with ranges of up to 2,000 kilometers, and SM-6 missiles, which can engage air and ground targets at distances of approximately 500 kilometers. The launchers are mounted on trucks and include a command post and transport-loading vehicles, allowing for rapid deployment and flexibility across regions.

The system has already been deployed in the Philippines, and its deployment in Europe is planned for 2026 as part of NATO’s efforts to strengthen its defence posture.

Pistorius expressed hope that the United States would fulfill a previous commitment — made under former President Joe Biden — to station medium-range weapons in Germany beginning in 2026. 

By Sabina Mammadli