US set to drop Tomahawk deployment to Germany over Russia concerns Sources tell Politico

The Pentagon is expected to abandon plans to deploy Tomahawk cruise missiles to Germany, amid concerns that the move could escalate tensions with Russia and provoke retaliation, according to European and US officials, cited by Politico.

The potential reversal marks a significant shift from a Biden-era agreement and underscores a broader recalibration of US military posture in Europe under President Donald Trump. The decision would leave Germany without a key long-range strike capability that its leadership has argued is critical for deterrence.

Officials say Washington’s concerns are twofold: the risk of provoking Moscow and the strain on US weapons stockpiles following extensive use of precision munitions, including Tomahawk and Patriot missiles, in the recent Iran conflict. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that replenishing these reserves could take “months and years.”

The move is part of a wider US retrenchment from NATO commitments. Plans to deploy 5,000 additional US troops to Germany have already been scrapped, while reductions in aircraft, drones and naval assets are also under consideration. US military leadership has signalled that Europe must assume greater responsibility for its own defence.

Germany has been particularly affected by the shift. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has acknowledged that limited US missile availability makes deployment unlikely, noting: “The Americans don’t have enough for themselves right now.”

Berlin has sought to acquire Tomahawk missiles and related launch systems but has yet to receive a response from Washington. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said he has “not much hope” of securing them under current conditions.

Meanwhile, Russian deployments of nuclear-capable Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad and medium-range systems in Belarus continue to heighten security concerns across Europe. German officials are now exploring alternative solutions, including European-developed systems, though these may take years to materialise.

By Tamilla Hasanova