Germany Plans €12 Billion Long-Range Arsenal to Deter Russia

The German government plans to invest approximately €12 billion ($14 billion) to develop a new arsenal of long-range weapons aimed at deterring Russia, Politico reported. The initiative, described in the documents as a key priority for both Germany and NATO, aims to equip the German armed forces with the ability to strike targets hundreds or thousands of kilometers behind enemy lines.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The conventional, “below the nuclear threshold” capabilities would be used to target command posts, airfields, missile launchers, and supply hubs. The ministry’s strategy consists of a four-part plan. The first phase involves deploying a new, low-cost cruise missile starting in 2027. The second phase focuses on the United States, with an internal goal to achieve initial operational readiness of US Typhon launchers armed with Tomahawk missiles by the end of the decade, providing Berlin with a proven interim weapon. The final two phases of the plan involve the joint development of highly advanced weapon systems with the United Kingdom, slated for introduction by the middle of the next decade. According to the internal documents, the capacity building will require “nearly €12 billion” in state funds. The funding has not yet been approved but was submitted as part of the state budget planning process. A spokesperson for the German Defense Ministry declined to comment to Politico on the specific figures or individual programs, stating that the ministry will only comment after parliamentary review. Other Topics of Interest Lithuanian President Nausėda Arrives in Kyiv Ahead of Independence Day Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda arrived in Kyiv on Sunday morning, Aug. 23, to attend Ukraine’s Flag Day and Independence Day events, and to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky. “The measures you are talking about are generally subject to approval by the German Bundestag,” the spokesperson said. Russian hybrid threats in Germany The military buildup comes as Germany weighs taking diplomatic action against Moscow over mounting hybrid security threats. The German government is currently reviewing the international legal basis for the Russian House cultural center in Berlin and has not ruled out terminating a 2011 bilateral agreement that allows it to operate. Germany’s next opportunity to terminate the agreement takes effect in June 2027, requiring Berlin to notify Moscow by Dec. 6, 2026. The Foreign Ministry cited “Russia’s increasing hybrid activities” as the primary reason for the review. The Russian House, operated by the sanctioned Russian state agency Rossotrudnichestvo, has traditionally hosted cultural events but is now facing heightened scrutiny. The debate over the cultural center follows a recent incident where an explosive-laden drone was discovered near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft at the Leipzig/Halle Airport. German federal prosecutors have taken over the investigation into the drone. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt characterized the incident as a potential “hybrid attack scenario” involving a foreign power, warning that Germany has become a daily target for espionage, sabotage, and cyberattacks. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.