Germany plans first purchase of Ukrainian-made strike missiles

German military personnel will soon begin testing a new class of long-range weapons developed in Ukraine. The German government expects to sign an agreement within weeks to buy an initial batch of Bars missiles. These systems are designed to travel up to 1,000 kilometers and carry payloads of up to 105 kilograms. The acquisition represents the first time the Bundeswehr has procured Ukrainian-developed offensive weaponry for its own use.

The trial phase is scheduled to take place in early 2027. If the technical results meet German standards, the contract could expand to cover several hundred units. This move is part of a larger strategy to build a long-range strike arsenal aimed at strengthening European deterrence against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously noted that Bars missiles have been used to strike military bases and energy facilities on Russian soil.

Production of the weapons has already begun on German soil. A joint Ukrainian-German company, which operates with high levels of secrecy, has manufactured the first batch of German-made missiles. The German side paid for this initial lot, which was delivered to Ukraine in October. The joint venture will now begin producing the missiles for the German military, creating a direct supply chain within Europe.

Berlin is also evaluating other options to fill gaps in its inventory. The government plans to buy and test a small number of Anthem cruise missiles from the US startup Covenant. The Anthem costs roughly one-tenth of the US Tomahawk, which ranges in price from $4 million to $6 million. One source indicated that the Bars is cheaper than the Anthem, but Germany intends to purchase both systems. Plans to acquire the Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missile have been postponed.

Currently, the German armed forces rely solely on the air-launched Taurus cruise missile, which has a range of about 500 kilometers. The planned acquisition of the BGM-109 Tomahawk and the Typhon ground-based launcher from Raytheon faces potential delays of up to five years. This gap in capability has prompted the search for alternative suppliers.

Media reports indicate that the German government expects to spend nearly €12 billion on this new long-range weapon arsenal. This spending reflects a broader trend in European defense planning. Denmark recently announced a one-billion-dollar deal to purchase high-precision long-range missiles, a first in its history. Both nations are seeking to enhance their security postures in response to ongoing conflicts in the region.