The German government expects it will need almost €12 billion to build a new arsenal of long-range weapons aimed at deterring Russia, according to defense ministry documents seen by POLITICO, Report informs.
The weapons would give German forces the ability to hit targets hundreds or even thousands of kilometers behind the front - potentially including command centers, airfields, missile launchers and supply hubs.
Internal documents call the effort a top priority for both Germany and NATO - coming at a time when European countries are rearming to deter what they see as a rising threat from Russia.
They say the goal is to allow German forces to strike "far into the rear area of an adversary" and maintain the ability to respond with conventional weapons "below the nuclear threshold."
The plan has four parts, with the first weapons due as early as next year and the most advanced systems built jointly with the UK and planned for the middle of the next decade.
Internal ministry talking points say "almost €12 billion" in budget funds are expected to be needed for the buildup.
The money has not yet been approved. Another ministry document says the costs have been estimated and submitted as part of the government's budget planning process.