NATO warns Europe of a shortage of long-range weapons.
Politico quoted a senior alliance diplomat as saying that NATO has acknowledged that Europe's long-range weapons capabilities are currently in a worrying state of shortfall.
According to RIA Novosti on May 5th, Politico reported that a senior NATO diplomat asserted that Europe still suffers from a significant shortage of long-range combat capabilities.
According to the article, Germany will face a shortage of missile weapons after the US military cuts its forces. Previously, Berlin had hoped Washington would soon deploy long-range missile systems on its territory. These weapons are capable of striking deep into Russian territory. However, at present, "this plan has effectively fallen apart."
According to an unnamed NATO diplomatic official, any decline in capabilities in the current geopolitical context of Europe is "a major concern." Politico also emphasized that, currently, there is no viable direct replacement for Tomahawk missile systems in the region.
The US administration's decision not to deploy long-range cruise missiles in Germany has met with mixed reactions.
"This decision by the US is a dangerous step... It creates a gap in NATO's deterrence strategy against Russia," German Member of Parliament Metin Hakverdi told Politico.
In July 2024, the previous US administration and the German government announced plans to deploy US-made precision-guided missile systems starting in 2026. These systems were expected to be far superior to existing arsenals in Europe. Specifically, the plan included SM-6 missiles, Tomahawk missiles, and hypersonic weapons.
However, last week, the Financial Times, citing a Pentagon source, reported that the US would reconsider its decision to deploy this long-range weapons battalion. This move is part of Washington's plan to reduce its military presence in Germany.
On May 3rd, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that he did not expect the US to deploy Tomahawk missiles in Germany. However, he did not rule out the possibility of a change. To compensate for the shortfall, Europe's supply of long-range weapons will certainly require new strategic adjustments in the future.
