German Deal for Ukrainian Strike Missiles Moves Toward Signing
An initial batch of Bars missiles would be delivered to the Bundeswehr for technical trials in early 2027.
By Madison Lewis ·
The German government is preparing to purchase Ukrainian-developed Bars missiles for its armed forces, according to sources familiar with the plans cited by the Financial Times. European Pravda and Ukrainska Pravda relayed the report.
An agreement covering an initial batch of the weapons is expected to be signed within weeks. The Bundeswehr would use the missiles for technical trials in early 2027. Sources said the purchase could grow to several hundred units if those trials produce satisfactory results.
The Bars is a jet-powered missile with a range reaching 1,000 km and a payload of up to 105 kg, varying by modification. Ukraine sometimes classifies it as a drone missile, while Germany lists it as a low-cost cruise missile. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the weapon in the strikes against military bases and energy facilities inside Russian territory.
A Ukrainian-German joint venture has assembled Bars missiles in Germany in recent months, with its operations kept confidential. That company delivered a first German-finished batch to Ukraine in October and will now supply Germany as well. The transaction would stand as the first known purchase of Ukrainian-developed offensive weapons for the Bundeswehr's own use.
Berlin also intends to buy a small number of Anthem cruise missiles from the US startup Covenant. The Anthem is priced at roughly one-tenth of a Tomahawk, which costs US$4 million to US$6 million. One source said the Bars costs less than the Anthem, and Germany plans to buy both. Acquisition of the Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missile is postponed for now.
Germany's armed forces currently field only the air-launched Taurus cruise missile, which flies about 500 km. A planned purchase of the BGM-109 Tomahawk and Typhon ground launcher from Raytheon could slip by up to five years. The German government expects to spend close to €12 billion on long-range strike weapons, and Denmark announced a billion-dollar deal for high-precision long-range missiles, its first such purchase.
