BERLIN – The US government has once again refused a request from the German defence ministry to integrate the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) rockets Berlin purchased from Washington with European rocket launchers, Euractiv has learned.

The German government has made multiple such requests over the past several years. Still, neither the Biden nor the Trump administration has shown openness, according to German and American government sources. The refusal could jeopardise the German military’s interoperability with the US and other NATO allies, many of which use US-made launchers.

The modernisation and expansion of Germany’s rocket artillery systems are among the central goals of the country’s so-called Zeitenwende, the shift in foreign and defence policy announced in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. One of the key lessons from the war has been the need to rebuild rocket artillery capabilities.

For decades, Germany has used MARS II launchers, which are compatible with US systems. However, Germany’s Ministry of Defence is now aiming to adopt the Euro-PULS rocket launcher system, a joint project by defence companies Elbit and KNDS, which can be equipped with weapons from various manufacturers.

Berlin has purchased five Euro-PULS systems for testing, and they will be integrated into the German military in 2026.

Still, the decision to use these new launchers has created complications. Germany needs US approval to integrate American weapons into the Euro-PULS system. To date, the US-purchased GMLRS rockets used by the Bundeswehr on its MARS II launchers are not compatible with Euro-PULS.

The German defence ministry has long expressed confidence that Washington would grant the necessary authorisation. Yet for nearly three years, no such approval has been issued.

This places the ministry of defence in a bind. Not only would the newly acquired Euro-PULS systems be incompatible with the GMLRS rockets already in Bundeswehr stocks, but the inability to integrate US weapons into German systems also complicates cooperation with NATO partners.

Countries such as Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, and the Baltic states have all opted for the US HIMARS system and its associated GMLRS rockets.

One likely reason for the US refusal is that integrating the fire-control software connecting the launcher and the rocket could give other manufacturers partial insight into the functioning of some of the most advanced US missiles, including PrSM, which has a range of up to 1,000 kilometres.

Some officials at the German ministry of defence said the US could provide a new software solution that would avoid these concerns.

In an email to Euractiv, a German ministry of defence spokeswoman said the US decision is not yet final.

(cm, cp)