Berlin eyes 1,000 km strike with Ukraine-made missile

Germany is preparing to sign a contract for the first batch of Ukrainian-developed Bars missiles, marking the Bundeswehr's initial procurement of Ukrainian offensive weaponry. A Financial Times report, citing sources familiar with the plans, indicates the agreement will be finalized in the coming weeks. The German military intends to use these units for technical trials in early 2027.

The Bars is a jet-powered cruise missile with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers and a payload capacity of up to 105 kilograms. While Ukrainian officials have referred to the system as a drone missile, Germany classifies it as a low-cost cruise missile. If the trial results are satisfactory, Berlin plans to expand the purchase to several hundred units.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has identified the Bars as a key weapon used to strike military bases and energy facilities inside Russia. The missile has been produced in Germany by a joint Ukrainian-German company, an operation described as secretive. The first batch of these German-made missiles, funded by Berlin, was delivered to Ukraine in October.

Currently, the German armed forces rely solely on the air-launched Taurus cruise missile, which has a range of approximately 500 kilometers. The planned acquisition of Raytheon's BGM-109 Tomahawk and Typhon ground-based launcher could be delayed by up to five years. In contrast, the Bars offers a quicker path to extended range, with one source noting it is cheaper than the Tomahawk, which costs between US$4 million and US$6 million.

Berlin is also evaluating a small batch of Anthem cruise missiles from US startup Covenant. The Anthem is priced at roughly one-tenth of a Tomahawk. However, plans to acquire the Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missile have been postponed for the time being. Germany aims to secure both the Bars and the Anthem systems for its long-range strike arsenal.

Media reports suggest the German government expects to spend nearly €12 billion on a new arsenal of long-range weapons designed to deter Moscow. This spending is part of a wider effort to strengthen European defense. Denmark recently announced a separate billion-dollar deal to purchase high-precision long-range missiles for the first time in its history.

The move positions Germany to test a mix of Ukrainian and American systems. The joint venture that produced the first German-made Bars will now also manufacture units for the Bundeswehr. This arrangement creates a direct supply line for offensive weapons previously used primarily by Ukrainian forces.