US to Deploy Long-Range Missiles in Germany by 2026: NATO Commitment & Strategic Shift

The United States will begin deploying long-range fire capabilities in Germany by 2026 to signal its commitment to NATO and European defense. This move includes SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles. The United States withdrew from the INF Treaty, citing Russian violations, prompting a strategic shift in missile deployments across Europe and Asia.

The United States will commence deploying long-range fire capabilities in Germany by 2026, demonstrating its commitment to NATO and European defense, as confirmed in a joint statement by the U.S. and Germany on Wednesday.

These 'episodic deployments' are part of a broader plan for long-term stationing that will feature SM-6, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and developing hypersonic weapons with extended range capabilities. Both the Tomahawk and the SM-6 are produced by RTX's Raytheon division.

Missiles with ranges exceeding 500 kilometers were previously prohibited under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, signed in 1987 by the Soviet Union and the United States. However, the U.S. left the treaty in 2019, accusing Russia of violations with the 9M729 missile.