Germany has submitted a request to the United States to acquire the Typhon mobile ground-based system designed for launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, despite the existence of a similar European project, the Land Cruise Missile (LCM) system. If the German Armed Forces receive this missile system, they would gain a strike range capable of reaching even Moscow.
However, this raises the question of what real strategic effect the delivery of the Typhon system from the U.S. could have for Germany. And this is not only about launchers for the Bundeswehr. The broader question is whether this would generally offset the need for Europe to acquire a minimum of 4,200 air- and sea-launched cruise missiles.
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To begin with, the issue of Europe’s additional need for at least 4,200 cruise missiles was outlined in a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), published in May 2025. It should be clarified, however, that this minimum requirement was calculated under the scenario of the United States deciding to fully step back from security responsibilities on the European continent.
At the same time, it was noted that acquiring the above-mentioned 4,200 sea- and air-launched cruise missiles would require at least $15 billion. Yet the most pressing matter is whether Europe even has time to wait until this desired arsenal is produced and delivered.
The same report also outlined an estimated need for at least 20 launchers of the Typhon system or the European LCM. However, calculations for the required stockpile of cruise missiles for these launchers were not provided.
In summary, the broader picture looks like this: if Germany does receive the Typhon system from the United States, it will gain long-range strike capabilities, which would be a significant step geopolitically but not a silver bullet.
It’s worth remembering that during the Cold War, West Germany even had Pershing I missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Today, all of Europe produces only around 100 cruise missiles per year. Therefore, having the Typhon system at the disposal of the German armed forces would provide more of a niche capability.
Still, the fact remains that one of the most powerful countries in Europe has chosen a U.S.-made medium-range missile system over a European alternative. This is despite the fact that the U.S. military itself currently operates only two Typhon batteries.
As a result, the overall effect of delivering the ground-based Typhon system with Tomahawk missiles to Germany could be the United States only further solidifying its dominance in supplying much-needed missile weapons to Europe.
Earlier, Defense Express pointed out other conclusions from the IISS report — such as, that Europe would need to to acquire additional 400 fighter jets and 600 tanks to compensate for a potential U.S. withdrawal from its security architecture.
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