German Chancellor Merz: Europe to Close Long-Range Weapons Gap in Short Term
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that European countries will quickly address the shortfall in long-range weapons through additional purchases and integration of existing systems.
Following the NATO summit in Ankara, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe is aware of the capability gap in long-range weapons and is working to close it quickly. He noted that suitable weapon systems already exist but are not available in sufficient quantities.
Merz reported that allies have been intensively discussing additional purchases and integration of these systems with other strike capabilities over recent weeks. Talks are ongoing and not yet concluded.
Separately, the chancellor commented on the US decision not to station Tomahawk missiles in Germany, saying discussions are still open and he cannot give a final answer.
Merz also confirmed the signing of a European declaration in Ankara on the rapid development of long-range strike capabilities at both European and transatlantic levels.
During the summit, US company Lockheed Martin and Germany's Rheinmetall signed a memorandum to establish the first production facility for ATACMS ballistic missiles outside the US, in Germany. Additionally, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden agreed to create a joint maintenance center for PAC-3 missiles used in Patriot air defense systems.
On July 8, US President Donald Trump, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ankara on the sidelines of the NATO summit, stated that the US would allow Ukraine to produce Patriot systems.
