Germany Set to Sign Deal for Ukrainian Bars Missiles

German soldiers will soon handle a new class of offensive weaponry. The German government is preparing to sign a contract for the first batch of Ukrainian-developed Bars missiles. This marks the first time the Bundeswehr will acquire offensive weapons designed by Ukraine for its own operational needs.

The agreement is expected to be finalized within the coming weeks. The military intends to use the initial delivery for technical trials in early 2027. If the tests meet standards, Berlin plans to expand the order to several hundred units. The move fits into a larger strategy to build a long-range strike arsenal aimed at deterring Russia.

The Bars is a jet-powered missile with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers. It carries a payload of up to 105 kilograms, depending on the specific modification. While Ukraine often refers to it as a drone missile, Germany classifies the system as a low-cost cruise missile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has noted that these missiles have been used to strike military bases and energy facilities inside Russian territory.

Production of the weapons is already underway on German soil. A joint Ukrainian-German company has been manufacturing the missiles in recent months. This entity operates under conditions of secrecy. The first batch of German-made missiles, funded by the German side, was delivered to Ukraine in October. The venture will now shift production to supply the German armed forces.

Berlin is also evaluating other systems. Plans are in place to buy and test a small number of Anthem cruise missiles from the US startup Covenant. The Anthem costs roughly one-tenth as much as a US-made Tomahawk. A Tomahawk is priced between US$4 million and US$6 million. Sources indicate the Bars is even cheaper, and Germany is ready to purchase both systems. Plans to acquire the Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missile have been postponed for now.

Currently, the German military relies on the air-launched Taurus cruise missile, which has a range of about 500 kilometers. The acquisition of BGM-109 Tomahawks and Typhon ground-based launchers from US manufacturer Raytheon faces potential delays of up to five years. Media reports indicate the German government expects to spend nearly €12 billion on this new arsenal of long-range weapons.

Denmark recently announced a separate billion-dollar deal to buy high-precision long-range missiles. This purchase marks the first time Denmark has acquired such weapons. The German and Danish moves reflect a coordinated effort among European nations to strengthen their defensive capabilities against Moscow.