Berlin Prepares First Contract for Ukrainian Bars Missiles

Germany is moving to acquire offensive missiles developed in Ukraine for the first time. A Financial Times report, citing sources familiar with the plans, indicates the German government will sign an agreement for an initial batch of Bars missiles within weeks.

The Bundeswehr intends to conduct technical trials on the weapons early next year. If the testing yields satisfactory results, Berlin plans to expand the purchase to several hundred units. This acquisition represents the first known procurement of Ukrainian-developed offensive weaponry for Germany's own armed forces.

The Bars is a jet-powered cruise missile with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers. Depending on the specific modification, it carries a payload of up to 105 kilograms. While Ukraine often refers to the system as a drone missile, the German military classifies it as a low-cost cruise missile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously described the weapon as one used to strike military bases and energy facilities inside Russia.

Production of the Bars missiles has recently moved to German soil through a joint Ukrainian-German company. The operations of this venture remain largely secret. The first batch of missiles manufactured in Germany, funded by Berlin, was delivered to Ukraine in October. The joint venture will now produce the weapons for the German military as well.

This purchase fits into a wider German effort to strengthen European deterrence against Moscow. Media reports suggest the government expects to spend nearly €12 billion on a new arsenal of long-range weapons. Currently, the German armed forces rely on the air-launched Taurus cruise missile, which has a range of about 500 kilometers.

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

The German plan to buy the BGM-109 Tomahawk and the Typhon ground-based launcher from Raytheon could face delays of up to five years. Denmark recently announced a billion-dollar deal to buy high-precision long-range missiles, marking the first such purchase in its history.