Berlin Prepares Contract for Ukrainian Bars Missiles

The German government is set to sign an agreement in the coming weeks for an initial batch of Bars missiles, according to sources familiar with the plans. The Bundeswehr will use these weapons for technical trials early in 2027. If the tests yield satisfactory results, Berlin plans to expand the purchase to several hundred units.

The Bars is a jet-powered missile with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers and a payload capacity of up to 105 kilograms, depending on the specific modification. While Ukrainian officials have referred to it as a drone missile, Germany classifies the weapon as a low-cost cruise missile. This acquisition represents the first known procurement of Ukrainian-developed offensive weaponry for the German armed forces.

Production for the German contract will occur in Germany through a joint Ukrainian-German company. This entity has been operating under a veil of secrecy. In October, the first batch of German-made missiles, funded entirely by Berlin, was delivered to Ukraine. The joint venture will now manufacture units specifically for the Bundeswehr.

The move fits into a wider German strategy to build a long-range strike arsenal for European deterrence. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has identified the Bars as one of the weapons used to strike military bases and energy facilities on Russian territory. Berlin is also planning to buy and test a small batch of Anthem cruise missiles from the US startup Covenant.

The Anthem system costs roughly one-tenth of the US$4 million to US$6 million price tag of a Tomahawk missile. One source noted that the Bars is even cheaper than the Anthem, but Germany intends to buy both systems. Plans to acquire the Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missile have been postponed for the time being.

Currently, the German armed forces rely solely on the air-launched Taurus cruise missile, which has a range of about 500 kilometers. The acquisition of the BGM-109 Tomahawk and the Typhon ground-based launcher from Raytheon could face delays of up to five years. Media reports indicate that the German government expects to spend nearly 12 billion euros on this new long-range weapons arsenal.

Denmark recently announced a one-billion-dollar deal to buy high-precision long-range missiles for the first time in its history. This move aligns with the broader trend of European nations strengthening their security postures against Russia.