Protection Minister Boris Pistorious confirmed throughout a gathering along with his U.S. counterpart that Germany had formally requested clearance to purchase the Typhon, a containerized launcher appropriate with Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles.
The announcement was made whereas Pistorious was enterprise an official go to to the US, and comes nearly precisely one yr after the U.S. introduced that its forces in Germany can be strengthened with missile techniques just like the Typhon from 2026. This resolution was a topic of debate throughout Pistorious’ assembly with U.S. Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth.
Re-evaluations of the U.S. army’s European deployments have been a scorching matter because the begin of President Trump’s second administration, although Pistorious stays “assured” that the settlement will probably be honoured. Germany’s procurement of Typhon can be the system’s first abroad sale, although curiosity has additionally been famous from the Philippines. The ultimate resolution on whether or not to go forward with the acquisition is not going to be made till after the request is accepted.
Defence Minister #Pistorius met his US counterpart @SecDef in Washington yesterday. 🇩🇪 is planning to obtain the 🇺🇸 weapon system Typhon – a cellular, ground-launched system that may fireplace numerous missile varieties as much as 2000 km – to boost defence functionality in 🇩🇪 and Europe. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/206C8iZkBq
— Germany at NATO (@GermanyNATO) July 15, 2025
Typhon is a transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) system that matches the footprint of a 40 ft ISO normal container. Importantly, although, the system shouldn’t be constructed immediately from containers in contrast to some new designs. Nonetheless, the particular measurement means the system is in impact containerized and may be simply transported and dealt with for speedy abroad deployment. Every launcher can home 4 vertical launch system (VLS) cells primarily based on the ever-present Mark 41 VLS used on a variety of naval vessels. The system could be very carefully associated to – basically an adaptation of – the U.S. Navy’s Mark 70 Payload Supply System.
Whether or not the deployment of U.S. launchers to Europe goes forward might affect Germany’s alternative. Whichever manner, there are sturdy arguments to contemplate – if the deal falls by means of, procuring the launchers would supply Germany with an equal sovereign functionality, but when the deal goes forward then the nations may benefit from joint basing, coaching, and logistics.
Long run ambitions in Germany stay set on homegrown capabilities, partnering with the UK and different European allies on plenty of lengthy vary strike platforms. Nonetheless, these missiles are nonetheless in early idea levels and are unlikely to be operational earlier than the early to mid 2030s. Typhon, in the meantime, is an already lively system that makes use of effectively confirmed missiles whereas additionally providing future compatibility with new U.S. missiles, together with hypersonic designs.
The German Military’s present lengthy vary fires functionality depends on the Medium Artillery Rocket System II, or MARS II, a neighborhood improvement of the American M270 A number of Launch Rocket System. Firing guided MLRS rockets, the system has a fight vary of roughly 84 kilometres. Tomahawks fired by Typhon, compared, might be used towards targets as much as 1500-2000 kilometres away.
Germany plans to accumulate U.S. MRC Typhon missile techniques by 2026 to discourage Russia, says Protection Minister Pistorius.
The system can launch Tomahawk Block V cruise missiles with a variety of ~1800 km — sufficient to succeed in Moscow from Berlin. pic.twitter.com/UajQGzd3v0
— Conflict Report (@clashreport) July 15, 2025
The Typhon
In any other case referred to as the Strategic Mid-Vary Fires System (SMRF), the Typhon was designed to kind one a part of the U.S. Military’s overarching Lengthy Vary Precision Fires (LRPF) program. Additionally falling beneath this system is the event of PrSM, in addition to prolonged vary artillery cannons, and hypersonic weapons.
Apparently, Typhon shouldn’t be the primary foray into floor launched Tomahawks. The U.S. Air Pressure beforehand operated the BGM-109G variant, designated Gryphon, from specifically designed TELs. Not like the Typhon, although, these models have been particularly designed to deploy thermonuclear warheads. As such, the whole variant was withdrawn from service in 1991 – lower than ten years after adoption – as a result of Intermediate-Vary Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
Germany’s Wüschheim air base housed 80 Gryphons between 1985 and 1990. Deployment of 96 missiles to the UK at RAF Greenham Frequent turned notable for triggering excessive profile protests, largely associated to the Greenham Frequent Ladies’s Peace Camp. Gryphon missiles have been additionally fielded in Italy and Belgium. The Netherlands was attributable to host 48 missiles, however the INF treaty prompted these plans to be scrapped earlier than any deployment occurred. All of those missiles have been operated by and beneath the management of U.S. forces.
A drawing of how one of many GLCM shelters at #RAF Greenham Frequent seemed like.#ColdWar #MilitaryHistory #Berkshire pic.twitter.com/yLh37etuwY
— Greenham Skies 🇺🇦 (@Greenham_Common) August 13, 2021
Whereas Germany’s essential curiosity in Typhon is probably going the lengthy vary land strike possibility supplied by Tomahawk and doubtlessly different missiles, the system can notably additionally launch the SM-6, or RIM-174 Customary Prolonged Vary Energetic Missile (ERAM). Normally fielded within the anti-aircraft function, the Typhon takes benefit of SM-6’s multirole capabilities by using the weapon in an anti-surface function.
SM-6 can be utilized towards each maritime and land-based targets, providing vastly completely different flight traits in comparison with the Tomahawk. The latter is designed to keep away from radar detection, travelling at low stage and at subsonic speeds. SM-6, alternatively, launches on a ballistic trajectory and travels at a number of instances the pace of sound. It may well’t match the Tomahawk for pure vary, however is perhaps a extra survivable weapon to make use of towards sure air protection techniques or effectively protected excessive profile targets.
Germany at present operates neither of those two missiles, although the Tomahawk has been famous as an possibility for equipping the German Navy’s floor ships. Tomahawk is the least costly, and arguably extra versatile, weapon of the 2 and is the more than likely alternative for German acquisition. Particulars on these plans will possible come following a choice on Germany’s international sale request.
