German Navy considers Tomahawk Cruise Missile for Deep Strike Operations from the sea.

On May 14, 2025, during the second edition of the Navy Talks in Berlin, Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, Inspector of the German Navy, confirmed that Germany is examining the integration of the U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile onto its naval platforms, as part of a larger strategic effort to develop a robust "inland strike" capability. This potential acquisition marks a significant doctrinal evolution for the German Navy, which currently lacks the means to strike targets deep within adversarial territory from the sea. In the context of growing regional threats and the ongoing war in Ukraine, the deployment of a long-range maritime land-attack missile like the Tomahawk would represent a shift toward power projection and deterrence from German waters, particularly in the Baltic Sea. 
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Germany’s potential acquisition of the Tomahawk cruise missile bridges a long-standing gap in its ability to project power from sea to land, enhances its strategic deterrence capabilities within NATO, and reinforces its readiness for high-end conflict scenarios (Picture source: U.S. Navy)

The Tomahawk is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile manufactured by Raytheon, designed to deliver precise conventional strikes against high-value or strategic targets. Compatible with the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), the latest Block IV variant offers a range of up to 1,667 km (900 nautical miles) and is equipped with GPS and terrain contour matching guidance systems. It features an in-flight retargeting capability and a two-way data link, allowing real-time mission updates. The missile can be launched from a wide variety of platforms, including destroyers, submarines, and potentially Germany's Sachsen-class (F124) and Brandenburg-class (F123) frigates, provided they are retrofitted with the Strike-length variant of the Mk 41 VLS.

First used in combat during the Gulf War in 1991, the Tomahawk has since become a cornerstone of U.S. and allied precision strike capabilities. It has been used extensively in conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and the Balkans. The Royal Navy also operates Tomahawks aboard its Astute-class submarines, underscoring its reliability and strategic value among NATO members. The missile's sustained accuracy and operational flexibility make it one of the most tested and validated land-attack weapons in service.

Compared to Germany's current naval strike capability, limited primarily to the RBS 15 Mk3 missile deployed on K130 corvettes, the Tomahawk offers an exponential increase in operational reach. The RBS 15, produced by Saab, has a maximum range of approximately 300 km and was originally conceived as an anti-ship weapon with limited land-attack utility. While theoretically usable against coastal or near-inland targets, it lacks the strategic depth and targeting versatility required to neutralize enemy infrastructure or A2/AD systems far inland. The Tomahawk, by contrast, provides Germany with a credible deterrent and strike capability well beyond the range of adversary radar coverage, enhancing its contribution to NATO’s collective defense.

Strategically, the integration of Tomahawks would allow Germany to conduct deep precision strikes into adversary territory from secure positions in the Baltic or North Sea. This changes the calculus in a high-intensity conflict by enabling Germany to suppress enemy air defenses, command nodes, and missile batteries from the sea, thereby supporting joint force operations and mitigating threats to forward-deployed units. Within the Baltic context, it directly counters Russia's A2/AD posture in Kaliningrad, and reinforces Germany’s role in NATO’s northern and eastern flanks. Furthermore, the move aligns with the broader “Kurs Marine” doctrine presented by the German Navy, which emphasizes cross-domain strike capabilities, modular weapons integration, and the use of unmanned and covert platforms such as submarines and autonomous underwater vehicles.

In terms of procurement and budgeting, no formal contract has yet been announced for Germany’s acquisition of the Tomahawk missile. However, the U.S. Department of State recently approved the sale of up to 175 Tomahawk missiles to the Netherlands in a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement, establishing a precedent within Europe for allies seeking to enhance maritime strike capabilities. The cost of the system depends on the configuration and support packages but typically ranges from $1.5 to $2 million per missile, with total acquisition and integration potentially running into hundreds of millions of dollars depending on launch system upgrades and logistics support. Given the German Navy’s intent to retrofit existing platforms like the F124 and F123 classes, investment would also be needed to adapt these vessels for the Strike-length VLS modules compatible with the Tomahawk.

Germany’s potential acquisition of the Tomahawk cruise missile marks a critical transformation in its naval doctrine and force posture. It bridges a long-standing gap in its ability to project power from sea to land, enhances its strategic deterrence capabilities within NATO, and reinforces its readiness for high-end conflict scenarios. By transitioning from short-range coastal systems like the RBS 15 to deep strike capabilities, Germany would not only increase the lethality of its fleet but also cement its role as a major maritime actor in the European security architecture. If the procurement proceeds, it would place the German Navy among the select few capable of launching strategic precision strikes from surface ships, redefining its operational reach in a volatile geopolitical landscape.