BERLIN — The German government expects it will need almost €12 billion — roughly $14 billion — to build a new arsenal of long-range weapons aimed at deterring Russia, according to defense ministry documents seen by POLITICO.

The weapons would give German forces the ability to hit military targets hundreds or even thousands of kilometers behind the front — including command centers, airfields, missile launchers, and supply hubs.

Internal documents call the effort a top priority for both Germany and NATO.

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…