Starting in 2026, the U.S. plans to deploy ground-based intermediate-range missiles in Germany. The German government has approved this decision, but it has sparked a controversial and, in part, unobjective public debate. In fact, the U.S. deployment is a response to long-standing military and security policy developments.
IFSH military expert Dr. Alexander Graef explains why the decision for deployment must be understood in the context of the new operational doctrine of the U.S. Army. This doctrine is a response to new Chinese and Russian capabilities that restrict the operational freedom of U.S. forces. Additionally, the increasing pace of warfare requires seamless integration of all branches of the armed forces. Precise long-range weapons play a crucial role for all parties involved.
However, according to Alexander Graef, the associated parallel armament between NATO states and Russia also harbors risks in the event of war. Therefore, the decision to station medium-range weapons in Germany should be cushioned by arms control measures and embedded in an overall defense policy concept. How this can be achieved and what role Germany could play is outlined in the latest IFSH Policy Brief, available here.