Berlin Moves to Contract Ukrainian Bars Missiles

The German government is set to sign a contract for the first purchase of Ukrainian-developed offensive missiles.

Sources familiar with the plans told the Financial Times that an agreement for an initial batch of Bars missiles is expected within weeks. The Bundeswehr intends to use these weapons for technical trials in early 2027. If the tests meet requirements, Berlin may expand the order to several hundred units.

The Bars is a jet-powered cruise missile with a range of up to 1,000 km. Depending on the modification, it carries a payload of up to 105 kg. While Ukrainian operators often refer to it as a drone missile, Germany classifies the system as a low-cost cruise missile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has noted that the Bars has been used to strike military bases and energy facilities on Russian territory.

Production of the missile is already underway in Germany through a joint Ukrainian-German company. The first batch of German-made missiles, funded by Berlin, was delivered to Ukraine in October. This arrangement marks the first known procurement of Ukrainian-developed offensive weaponry for the Bundeswehr’s own use.

Berlin is also preparing to buy and test a small batch of Anthem cruise missiles from US startup Covenant. The Anthem costs roughly one-tenth of a Tomahawk, which is priced between $4 million and $6 million. One source stated that the Bars is cheaper than both, though Germany is ready to purchase both systems. Plans to acquire the Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missile have been postponed.

Currently, the German armed forces rely on the air-launched Taurus cruise missile, which has a range of about 500 km. Acquisitions of the BGM-109 Tomahawk and the Typhon ground-based launcher from Raytheon could be delayed by up to five years. Media reports indicate that Berlin expects to spend nearly $12 billion on a new arsenal of long-range weapons to deter Russia.

Denmark recently announced a billion-dollar deal to buy high-precision long-range missiles for the first time in its history.