Germany news: Berlin advances Tomahawk, submarine deals
What you need to know
- Germany plans to push the US to agree a deal on Tomahawk missiles, according to a report
- Klingbeil pushes Canada to join a German-Norwegian submarine program
- Germany has already used up its share of the world's natural resources for this year
- Surfing has resumed in Munich's English Garden after the city's new mayor lifted a ban with a new city decree
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz defends NATO unity during a visit to Stockholm
Below are the latest developments from and about Germany over the weekend of May 9 and 10, 2026.
Skip next section Report: Germany to renew bid to buy US Tomahawk missiles05/10/2026May 10, 2026Report: Germany to renew bid to buy US Tomahawk missiles
Germany is quietly reviving its bid to buy Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States, according to a Financial Times report.
Citing people with knowledge of Berlin's strategy, the business daily said Germany hopes to persuade the Trump administration to agree to the sale of the Tomahawks together with their Typhon ground launchers.
Germany is still awaiting an answer from Washington on a formal request submitted last July for up to several hundred Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, along with the mobile Typhon launchers.
These systems would allow the Bundeswehr to strike targets hundreds of kilometers deep into enemy territory. Many experts say this capability is currently missing from Europe's arsenal.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is now planning a trip to Washington to push the deal forward, the FT reported.
The US military's Tomahawk stockpiles have been significantly depleted, particularly during the Iran war.
In February, the Pentagon signed a major seven-year contract with Raytheon to ramp up production for its own use.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DXgmSkip next section Kingbeil urges Canada to join German-Norwegian submarine program05/10/2026May 10, 2026Kingbeil urges Canada to join German-Norwegian submarine program
Germany has again pitched Canada on its joint submarine project with Norway, hoping the North American country will order the attack submarines, German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said.
Klingbeil, who is on a two-day visit to Canada, met with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday to discuss deeper cooperation between their countries.
He said both sides agreed to expand their partnership in artificial intelligence (AI), energy and critical raw materials.
Germany and Norway are cooperating on a new stealth submarine project built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
Although the submarines will be powered by diesel, they will also have large electric batteries that drive the vessels underwater quietly, making them virtually undetectable by passive sonar.
Klingbeil said it was important for Germany to bring Canada on board the €5.5 billion program.
Germany has ordered six submarines, while Norway has opted for four, with an option for two more.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DXgeSkip next section Our coverage continues05/10/2026May 10, 2026Our coverage continues
Nik Martin | Louis Oelofse EditorGood morning. It's a beautiful spring day here in Bonn, on the banks of the Rhein River.
We are continuing our live blog of the top stories from across Germany, including a Financial Times report that Chancellor Friedrich Merz' government wants to restart efforts to acquire Tomahawk missiles from the United States.
Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil is in Canada, seeking closer cooperation and for Ottawa to join a German-Norwegian submarine project. The two countries are jointly building next-generation stealth subs to replace their old fleets.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DXezSkip next section We've paused coverage05/10/2026May 10, 2026We've paused coverage
We'll be back with the latest headlines on May 10.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DX7bSkip next section Pull out of Bundestag construction project: German lawmakers05/09/2026May 9, 2026Pull out of Bundestag construction project: German lawmakers
Amid the current pressure on public spending, two senior lawmakers want to pull out of plans for a major construction project around Germany's parliament, the Bundestag.
The Luisenblock Ost II project, which was first mooted in 2009, would provide additional office space for lawmakers in Berlin's government district.
Bundestag President Julia Klöckner told Germany's Spiegel magazine that "when budgets are tight, we must not push ahead with expensive parliamentary expansions that we do not strictly need."
Bundestag Vice President Omid Nouripour said it was important to "focus on what is essential."
According to Spiegel, the goal is to save at least €600 million ($707 million) in construction costs alone, which will help the federal government’s tight budget situation.
Luisenblock Ost is divided into two parts. The first will house new Bundestag offices and secure meeting rooms and has been approved. Construction is due to begin within the next year.
The second, Luisenblock Ost II, is the larger of the two projects. If it proceeds, the second will provide housing and stores as well as its parliamentary function.
Nouripour plans to call a special meeting of the Bundestag’s Building and Space Commission at the end of the month to formally recommend dropping the project.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DWuNSkip next section Merz says NATO unity remains strong05/09/2026May 9, 2026Merz says NATO unity remains strong
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he remains confident in NATO unity despite rising tensions with Washington and plans to reduce US troop numbers in Germany.
Speaking during a visit to Stockholm, Merz said NATO's strength depends on goals rather than troop levels. He said the alliance's unity remained intact.
"NATO's strength depends not solely on troop numbers, but on shared objectives — and that unity still prevails," Merz said at a press conference in Stockholm. "I have no doubt that the United States has a strong interest in having a robust European pillar of NATO by its side — and vice versa."
The comments came after the Pentagon announced plans to withdraw about 5,000 US troops from Germany. Around 39,000 American soldiers are currently stationed in the country.
Relations between Merz and US President Donald Trump have become strained over the conflict in the Gulf.
Europe pushes back after Trump threat over US troops
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https://p.dw.com/p/5DWgfSkip next section Pope urges sustainability after Augustiner visit05/09/2026May 9, 2026Pope urges sustainability after Augustiner visit
Employees of Munich's Augustiner-Bräu brewery brought beer gifts to Pope Leo XIV during an audience at the Vatican, where the pontiff thanked them for their "thoughtful gesture of solidarity."
The pope recalled his own connection to the brewery through the Order of Saint Augustine, whose members brewed the beer until the early 19th century. He noted that food and drink were part of God’s creation and quoted from predecessor Pope Francis' environmental writings, saying “everything is a caress of God.”
Leo XIV urged his Bavarian visitors to use resources wisely and promote justice as a condition for peace. He encouraged them to continue contributing professionally and personally to protecting creation “for the common good” after returning home.
Augustiner-Bräu says it is the Bavarian capital’s oldest still-operating brewery. It was founded by Augustinian hermits in the early 14th century and later supplied nobility. After the monastery was dissolved in 1803, the brewery survived and was eventually taken over by the Wagner brewing family in 1829. Today, the Edith-Haberland-Wagner Foundation holds just over half of the company.
German startup develops vegan meat from brewery waste
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https://p.dw.com/p/5DWR6Skip next section German football bosses in talks over World Cup player bonuses05/09/2026May 9, 2026German football bosses in talks over World Cup player bonuses
The German Football Association (DFB) has been negotiating bonus payments with the national team ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said no agreement had yet been reached, though discussions with the players' council were ongoing and constructive.
Talks come weeks before the tournament kicks off across Canada, Mexico and the US, with the German Football Association aiming to finalize terms in time.
Germany’s 2014 World Cup winners each received €300,000 ($354,000), while a title at Euro 2024 would have earned €400,000 per player. More recently, players took home €100,000 each after reaching the quarterfinals at Euro 2024.
Former Germany captain Philipp Lahm has said reaching at least the semifinals should remain the benchmark, with coach Julian Nagelsmann expected to lead a renewed push after recent World Cup disappointments.
Neuendorf has said Germany belongs among the wider group of contenders, alongside teams such as England, France, Brazil and Argentina.
How Germany won back the nation at Euro 2024
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https://p.dw.com/p/5DWOnSkip next section Germany hits 2026 resource limit05/09/2026May 9, 2026Germany hits 2026 resource limit
Germany has already used up all of the natural resources that should last for the entire year.
The date, known as Earth Overshoot Day, is calculated annually by the Global Footprint Network for individual countries and for the planet as a whole.
If everyone on Earth consumed as many natural resources and produced as much carbon dioxide as people in Germany, the planet's annual biocapacity would already be exhausted within the first third of the year.
According to the German Federation for the Environment and Nature (BUND), Germany consumes far too many resources, mainly because of its heavy reliance on fossil fuels. The main contributors are energy-intensive industries, the building sector, road transport and industrial livestock farming.
As a result, the consequences are already being felt through droughts, heavy rainfall and increasing heat in cities.
"Our current way of living and doing business is not sustainable," BUND chairman Olaf Bandt said. "Instead of switching to renewables, we are continuing to rely on coal, oil and gas."
Electricity from solar and wind power, along with heat pumps and lightweight, small and efficient electric cars, would instead provide independence, planning certainty and climate protection, Bandt said.
In 2025, Germany's Earth Overshoot Day fell on May 3. The fact that the date shifted back by a week in 2026 was not the result of a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, but updated data and changes in calculation methods.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DW3zSkip next section Munich reopens Eisbach wave to surfers05/09/2026May 9, 2026Munich reopens Eisbach wave to surfers
Surfing has resumed at Munich's Eisbach wave, in the city's famous English Garden after officials lifted a previous ban.
Green Party Mayor Dominik Krause approved the move by issuing a revised general decree shortly after a new city coalition was formed.
"Surfing on the Eisbach is an integral part of the Munich way of life; the Eisbach wave is a landmark of the city of Munich," Krause declared.
From the very beginning, he noted, his goal had been "to open the wave as soon as possible." To take this step, he worked closely with representatives of the Munich surfing community, who have organized themselves into two associations.
Only experienced river surfers are allowed to use the wave, and only until 10 p.m., with new safety rules including quick-release leashes to reduce risks in the strong current.
The site had been closed after a fatal accident in April last year, when a surfer was pulled underwater after her leash became trapped.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DW3XSkip next section Welcome to our coverage05/09/2026May 9, 2026Welcome to our coverage
Richard Connor | Louis Oelofse EditorGuten Tag from the DW newsroom in Bonn.
You join us as we learn that one of the world's strangest surfing venues, in the capital of landlocked Bavaria, is once again allowing tourists to catch a wave.
Meanwhile, Germany has already consumed its share of the Earth's resources for the year.
Stay with us for more on the latest stories from and about Germany.
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