Germany Signs Deal for 1,000 km Ukrainian Missiles

Germany is moving to acquire the Bars missile from Ukraine, marking the first time the Bundeswehr will purchase offensive weaponry developed by its ally. The agreement is expected to be signed within weeks, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. The initial batch will undergo technical trials in the German military in early 2027. If the tests yield satisfactory results, Berlin plans to expand the purchase to several hundred units.

The Bars is a jet-powered cruise missile with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers. It carries a payload of up to 105 kilograms, depending on the specific modification. While Ukrainian personnel often refer to the system as a drone missile, the German military classifies it as a low-cost cruise missile. This acquisition fits into a wider strategy to build a long-range strike arsenal aimed at strengthening European deterrence against Russia.

Production of the Bars has already shifted to European soil in recent months. A joint Ukrainian-German company, which operates with a high degree of secrecy, has begun manufacturing the weapons. The first batch of these German-made missiles was delivered to Ukraine in October, with costs covered by the German side. The joint venture will now produce additional units specifically for the Bundeswehr.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, has identified the Bars as a key tool in strikes on Russian military bases and energy facilities. The German government views the system as a critical component of its defense infrastructure. Currently, the Bundeswehr relies solely on the air-launched Taurus cruise missile, which has a range of approximately 500 kilometers.

Berlin is also preparing to test a small batch of Anthem cruise missiles from the US startup Covenant. The Anthem costs roughly one-tenth as much as a Tomahawk, which is priced between 4 million and 6 million US dollars. One source noted that the Bars is cheaper still, though Germany intends to purchase both systems. Plans to acquire the Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missile have been postponed for the time being.

The German government expects to spend nearly 12 billion euros on a new arsenal of long-range weapons. This spending is part of a push to counter Moscow while dealing with delays in other procurement projects. The plan to buy the BGM-109 Tomahawk and the Typhon ground-based launcher from Raytheon could be delayed by up to five years. Denmark recently announced a one-billion-dollar deal for high-precision long-range missiles, signaling a shared European drive to bolster security.

The next step for the German military is the arrival of the first Bars units for testing. The results of these trials will determine the scale of future orders. The joint venture in Germany will continue to produce missiles for both the Ukrainian and German forces. Berlin remains committed to diversifying its strike capabilities beyond current air-launched options.