Reports from German sources, citing well-informed insiders, indicate that Berlin is contemplating the acquisition of US ground-launched Tomahawk missiles. This strategy is perceived as a temporary solution to address critical defense deficiencies until European alternatives become available.

The sources suggest that the Tomahawk would serve as a stopgap measure while Germany and its allies advance the European Long-Range Strike [ELSA] initiative, which focuses on developing non-nuclear strike capabilities.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has highlighted significant weaknesses in European defense, particularly regarding precision long-range strike options. Nations such as Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Sweden, and the UK are collaborating to tackle this issue through the ELSA initiative, although progress on developing indigenous missile systems has been sluggish.

The European defense sector is currently facing challenges in providing a timely and effective solution, resulting in a considerable capability gap that may endure for several years.

Germany, which previously contemplated retiring its Taurus air-launched missiles, is now upgrading over 300 of these systems. Nevertheless, these assets still lack the necessary ground-based launch capabilities.

As discussions about acquiring Tomahawks continue, it is evident that Berlin’s leadership is actively seeking methods to close the capability gap. This approach would not only address urgent needs but also provide strategic flexibility while awaiting a European solution.

European nations face uncertainty regarding the delivery of an appropriate missile system in the coming years; however, the Tomahawk serves as a dependable and effective interim solution.

Complicating matters, Germany is approaching elections at the end of February, with the outcome still uncertain. The political changes that may arise from this election could have a substantial impact on defense procurement strategies. Currently, none of the prominent candidates have articulated a definitive position on whether the acquisition of Tomahawks will be prioritized by a new government.

As the political environment remains volatile, the prospect of Germany obtaining Tomahawks is still very much alive, and only time will reveal if this agreement will materialize.

The Tomahawk Ground Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM), known as the BGM-109G Gryphon, represents a notable advancement within the Tomahawk missile series, which was originally intended for naval and aerial deployment.

Created by the United States Air Force during the latter part of the Cold War, the GLCM was specifically designed to address the Soviet Union’s deployment of mobile Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBMs) and Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs), particularly the SS-20 Saber, in Eastern Europe.

The BGM-109G essentially serves as a land-based counterpart to the sea-launched Tomahawk, boasting similar low-altitude, long-range cruise capabilities but targeting strategic land objectives. It was armed with a W84 thermonuclear warhead, which allowed for a variable yield ranging from 0.2 to 150 kilotons, thus providing versatility in tactical nuclear strike operations.

The GLCM differed from other Tomahawk variants, which could be equipped with conventional warheads, as it was solely designed for nuclear armament. This distinction underscored its strategic purpose in deterring Soviet threats in Western Europe.

Engineered with a subsonic turbofan engine and an initial solid rocket booster for launch, the GLCM was capable of executing a low-altitude, terrain-following flight path to avoid radar detection.

This feature was essential, as it replicated the flight patterns of a small unmanned aircraft, employing sophisticated guidance technologies such as inertial navigation, GPS, and terrain contour matching (TERCOM) to ensure accurate targeting.

The missile could operate at altitudes as low as 110 meters and had a striking range of about 2,780 kilometers, enabling it to penetrate deep into Soviet-held regions from bases in Western Europe.

The GLCM’s deployment in Europe was integral to NATO’s comprehensive strategy to counter the Soviet missile threat. These missiles were stored in fortified shelters and utilized the Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) system for deployment, although they lacked the mobility of the Pershing II missiles, which were also part of the same strategic framework.

The stationing of these missiles in Europe played a crucial role in encouraging Soviet leaders to pursue negotiations that culminated in the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Under the INF Treaty, the GLCM, along with all other ground-launched cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers, was mandated for dismantlement. By 1991, all GLCM units had been withdrawn from Europe, returned to the United States, and subsequently destroyed, although some were preserved for static display.

This treaty represented a historic milestone as it was the first instance of an entire category of nuclear weapon systems being eliminated, highlighting a significant advancement in arms control efforts.

The influence of the GLCM is evident in subsequent advancements and discussions regarding cruise missile technology. Following the U.S. exit from the INF Treaty in 2019, attributed to purported violations by Russia, there was a resurgence of interest in ground-launched cruise missiles, resulting in tests of new systems that could be viewed as successors to the GLCM, albeit equipped with conventional warheads.

However, the current landscape necessitates innovative solutions, as the previous systems are now outdated. In August 2023, the United States Army conducted a pivotal test of the Tomahawk missile as part of the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) system.

This test marked a significant achievement in the Army’s initiative to enhance its long-range precision fire capabilities, representing the first successful launch of a Tomahawk missile from a land-based platform, specifically utilizing the MRC system.

The test was carried out by Soldiers from the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, in partnership with personnel from the Navy’s Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons.

The MRC system, also known as the Typhon system, is engineered to equip the Army with medium-range strike capabilities utilizing existing Navy missiles, specifically the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) and the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6), modified for ground launch from a mobile platform. The testing occurred at undisclosed locations to ensure operational security.

During this evaluation, the Army showcased the MRC’s complete operational capabilities by launching a Tomahawk missile, recognized for its intermediate-range, subsonic cruise missile features, which can engage targets up to 1,000 miles away and adjust its trajectory mid-flight.

This adaptability is crucial for targeting moving objectives, thereby enhancing the Army’s capacity to perform stand-off operations while minimizing the risk to ground forces from enemy counterattacks.

The successful launch of the Tomahawk from the MRC system served not only as a demonstration of the missile’s firing capabilities but also as a testament to the integration of Army and Navy systems. Extensive collaboration between Soldiers and Sailors during the MRC’s development phase ensured that the system could be effectively incorporated into multi-domain operations.

This partnership involved Soldiers providing essential feedback throughout the MRC’s development, training, and testing phases, highlighting the Army’s dedication to engaging operational users in the lifecycle of its new weapon systems.

The MRC system consists of a battery with four launchers and a control center, intended to be integrated into strategic fires battalions within multi-domain task forces. This system is designed to bridge the gap between shorter-range artillery and longer-range missile systems, addressing the range limitations that were previously imposed by the now-abrogated Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

The recent test marked a crucial milestone in demonstrating the Army’s capability to utilize new, sophisticated weapon systems in response to emerging threats, especially from near-peer competitors that have developed advanced long-range artillery.

The incorporation of the Tomahawk missile into the Army’s inventory through the MRC system represents a significant strategic transition aimed at improving long-range precision fire capabilities, which ranks among the Army’s highest modernization priorities.

This test not only confirmed the technical functionality of the MRC system but also underscored the collaborative operational framework in which Army and Navy resources operate together, capitalizing on the unique strengths of each branch to fulfill broader strategic goals.

The successful outcome of this test has set the stage for the Army to initiate plans for deploying MRC batteries, with the objective of bolstering its combat effectiveness across multi-domain operations. It is also conceivable that Germany is interested in acquiring such systems.