Berlin — NATO must bolster its arsenal of long-range missiles to effectively deter Russia, which is expanding its missile capabilities and military presence, a senior U.S. general said on Friday.
Major General John Rafferty, speaking from a U.S. military base in Wiesbaden, Germany, emphasized the urgency of enhancing the alliance’s long-range strike capabilities in response to Russia’s continued investment in advanced missile systems and air defenses.
“The Russian army is bigger today than it was when the war in Ukraine began,” Rafferty said. “We know they’re going to keep investing in long-range rockets and sophisticated air defenses. That makes it critical for the alliance to strengthen its own capabilities.”
Russia’s extensive use of long-range missiles in Ukraine — targeting command centers, transport hubs, and weapons depots far from the front lines — has underscored the strategic value of such systems, particularly as Ukraine seeks stronger air defense support from NATO partners.
U.S. Missile Deployment Plans in Europe
Rafferty recently concluded his role as commander of the U.S. Army’s 56th Artillery Command, based in Mainz-Kastel, Germany. That unit is preparing for the temporary deployment of American long-range missiles to Europe beginning in 2026 — part of an agreement reached under President Joe Biden’s administration.
The planned deployments include Tomahawk cruise missiles, which can reach targets up to 1,800 kilometers away, and the next-generation hypersonic missile, Dark Eagle, with a projected range of around 3,000 kilometers.
However, with Donald Trump now back in the White House, questions remain over whether the deployments will move forward. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is expected to seek clarification during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Monday.
Russian Opposition and NATO Concerns
Moscow has condemned the proposed missile deployments, calling them a serious threat to its national security. Russian officials maintain that NATO expansion and Western military build-up near its borders were key reasons for launching the 2022 invasion of Ukraine — claims NATO dismisses as unfounded.
Despite Russian objections, NATO leaders remain focused on strengthening the alliance’s deterrence posture, particularly given Europe’s reliance on U.S. missile capabilities.
Europe’s Missile Gap — and Response
Currently, the United States supplies about 90% of NATO’s long-range missile capabilities, according to Fabian Hoffmann, a missile expert and doctoral researcher at the University of Oslo.
“Long-range strike capabilities are crucial in modern warfare,” Hoffmann said. “You really don’t want to find yourself in the position Ukraine was in during the early stages of the war — without them, you’re at an immediate disadvantage.”
While some European countries maintain long-range systems — such as Britain’s Storm Shadow, France’s SCALP, and Germany’s Taurus cruise missiles — their range is typically limited to several hundred kilometers. France’s sea-launched MdCN can exceed 1,000 kilometers, but remains a rare exception.
To close the gap, European NATO members are developing new capabilities under the European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA), a cooperative effort involving France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Britain, and Sweden.
In May, Britain and Germany announced a joint initiative to develop a ground-launched missile with a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers — marking a significant step toward reducing European reliance on U.S. firepower.
These systems are being developed by MBDA, a European defense firm with operations across the UK, France, Germany, and Italy.
As geopolitical tensions mount, NATO’s ability to match Russia’s long-range strike capacity is becoming a central issue in the alliance’s evolving defense posture.
U.S. General: NATO Needs More Long-Range Missiles to Deter Growing Russian Threat
Berlin — NATO must bolster its arsenal of long-range missiles to effectively deter Russia, which is expanding its missile capabilities and military presence, a senior U.S. general said on Friday.
Major General John Rafferty, speaking from a U.S. military base in Wiesbaden, Germany, emphasized the urgency of enhancing the alliance’s long-range strike capabilities in response to Russia’s continued investment in advanced missile systems and air defenses.
“The Russian army is bigger today than it was when the war in Ukraine began,” Rafferty said. “We know they’re going to keep investing in long-range rockets and sophisticated air defenses. That makes it critical for the alliance to strengthen its own capabilities.”
Russia’s extensive use of long-range missiles in Ukraine — targeting command centers, transport hubs, and weapons depots far from the front lines — has underscored the strategic value of such systems, particularly as Ukraine seeks stronger air defense support from NATO partners.
U.S. Missile Deployment Plans in Europe
Rafferty recently concluded his role as commander of the U.S. Army’s 56th Artillery Command, based in Mainz-Kastel, Germany. That unit is preparing for the temporary deployment of American long-range missiles to Europe beginning in 2026 — part of an agreement reached under President Joe Biden’s administration.
The planned deployments include Tomahawk cruise missiles, which can reach targets up to 1,800 kilometers away, and the next-generation hypersonic missile, Dark Eagle, with a projected range of around 3,000 kilometers.
However, with Donald Trump now back in the White House, questions remain over whether the deployments will move forward. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is expected to seek clarification during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Monday.
Russian Opposition and NATO Concerns
Moscow has condemned the proposed missile deployments, calling them a serious threat to its national security. Russian officials maintain that NATO expansion and Western military build-up near its borders were key reasons for launching the 2022 invasion of Ukraine — claims NATO dismisses as unfounded.
Despite Russian objections, NATO leaders remain focused on strengthening the alliance’s deterrence posture, particularly given Europe’s reliance on U.S. missile capabilities.
Europe’s Missile Gap — and Response
Currently, the United States supplies about 90% of NATO’s long-range missile capabilities, according to Fabian Hoffmann, a missile expert and doctoral researcher at the University of Oslo.
“Long-range strike capabilities are crucial in modern warfare,” Hoffmann said. “You really don’t want to find yourself in the position Ukraine was in during the early stages of the war — without them, you’re at an immediate disadvantage.”
While some European countries maintain long-range systems — such as Britain’s Storm Shadow, France’s SCALP, and Germany’s Taurus cruise missiles — their range is typically limited to several hundred kilometers. France’s sea-launched MdCN can exceed 1,000 kilometers, but remains a rare exception.
To close the gap, European NATO members are developing new capabilities under the European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA), a cooperative effort involving France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Britain, and Sweden.
In May, Britain and Germany announced a joint initiative to develop a ground-launched missile with a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers — marking a significant step toward reducing European reliance on U.S. firepower.
These systems are being developed by MBDA, a European defense firm with operations across the UK, France, Germany, and Italy.
As geopolitical tensions mount, NATO’s ability to match Russia’s long-range strike capacity is becoming a central issue in the alliance’s evolving defense posture.
U.S. General: NATO Needs More Long-Range Missiles to Deter Growing Russian Threat
Berlin — NATO must bolster its arsenal of long-range missiles to effectively deter Russia, which is expanding its missile capabilities and military presence, a senior U.S. general said on Friday.
Major General John Rafferty, speaking from a U.S. military base in Wiesbaden, Germany, emphasized the urgency of enhancing the alliance’s long-range strike capabilities in response to Russia’s continued investment in advanced missile systems and air defenses.
“The Russian army is bigger today than it was when the war in Ukraine began,” Rafferty said. “We know they’re going to keep investing in long-range rockets and sophisticated air defenses. That makes it critical for the alliance to strengthen its own capabilities.”
Russia’s extensive use of long-range missiles in Ukraine — targeting command centers, transport hubs, and weapons depots far from the front lines — has underscored the strategic value of such systems, particularly as Ukraine seeks stronger air defense support from NATO partners.
U.S. Missile Deployment Plans in Europe
Rafferty recently concluded his role as commander of the U.S. Army’s 56th Artillery Command, based in Mainz-Kastel, Germany. That unit is preparing for the temporary deployment of American long-range missiles to Europe beginning in 2026 — part of an agreement reached under President Joe Biden’s administration.
The planned deployments include Tomahawk cruise missiles, which can reach targets up to 1,800 kilometers away, and the next-generation hypersonic missile, Dark Eagle, with a projected range of around 3,000 kilometers.
However, with Donald Trump now back in the White House, questions remain over whether the deployments will move forward. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is expected to seek clarification during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Monday.
Russian Opposition and NATO Concerns
Moscow has condemned the proposed missile deployments, calling them a serious threat to its national security. Russian officials maintain that NATO expansion and Western military build-up near its borders were key reasons for launching the 2022 invasion of Ukraine — claims NATO dismisses as unfounded.
Despite Russian objections, NATO leaders remain focused on strengthening the alliance’s deterrence posture, particularly given Europe’s reliance on U.S. missile capabilities.
Europe’s Missile Gap — and Response
Currently, the United States supplies about 90% of NATO’s long-range missile capabilities, according to Fabian Hoffmann, a missile expert and doctoral researcher at the University of Oslo.
“Long-range strike capabilities are crucial in modern warfare,” Hoffmann said. “You really don’t want to find yourself in the position Ukraine was in during the early stages of the war — without them, you’re at an immediate disadvantage.”
While some European countries maintain long-range systems — such as Britain’s Storm Shadow, France’s SCALP, and Germany’s Taurus cruise missiles — their range is typically limited to several hundred kilometers. France’s sea-launched MdCN can exceed 1,000 kilometers, but remains a rare exception.
To close the gap, European NATO members are developing new capabilities under the European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA), a cooperative effort involving France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Britain, and Sweden.
In May, Britain and Germany announced a joint initiative to develop a ground-launched missile with a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers — marking a significant step toward reducing European reliance on U.S. firepower.
These systems are being developed by MBDA, a European defense firm with operations across the UK, France, Germany, and Italy.
As geopolitical tensions mount, NATO’s ability to match Russia’s long-range strike capacity is becoming a central issue in the alliance’s evolving defense posture.
