Germany set to sign deal for 1,000 km Ukrainian Bars missiles

The German government is preparing to sign a contract for the first batch of Ukrainian-developed Bars missiles, according to a Financial Times report. The acquisition marks the Bundeswehr's first purchase of offensive weaponry designed in Ukraine for its own use. German officials expect to finalize the agreement within weeks.

The Bundeswehr intends to use the initial shipment for technical trials in early 2027. If the tests produce satisfactory results, Berlin plans to expand the procurement to several hundred units. The move is part of a wider strategy to build a long-range strike arsenal to strengthen European deterrence against Russia.

The Bars is a jet-powered missile classified by Germany as a low-cost cruise missile. It has a range of up to 1,000 kilometers and carries a payload of up to 105 kilograms, depending on the modification. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously identified the weapon as one used to strike military bases and energy facilities on Russian soil.

Production of the missiles has already begun in Germany through a joint Ukrainian-German company. The operations of this venture remain under strict secrecy. The first batch of German-made missiles, funded by Berlin, was delivered to Ukraine in October. The joint venture will now produce missiles for the German military as well.

Currently, the German armed forces rely on the air-launched Taurus cruise missile, which has a range of approximately 500 kilometers. Plans to acquire BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles and Typhon ground-based launchers from Raytheon face potential delays of up to five years. Berlin also intends to buy and test a small batch of Anthem cruise missiles from US startup Covenant. The Anthem costs roughly one-tenth as much as a Tomahawk, which is priced between $4 million and $6 million, while sources indicate the Bars is even cheaper.

Plans to acquire the Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missile have been postponed for the time being. Media reports indicate that the German government expects to spend nearly 12 billion euros on the new arsenal of long-range weapons. Denmark recently announced a separate one billion dollar deal to purchase high-precision long-range missiles for the first time in its history.