Germany is exploring the Ukrainian "Flamingo" missile as a potential alternative to the U.S. Tomahawk long-range cruise missile. Berlin has already begun procuring Ukrainian-made drones for the Bundeswehr and is actively discussing the formation of joint defense ventures.
This was reported by Dengi.ua, referencing an Financial Times interview with Denys Stilerman, co-founder and chief designer of Fire Point.
Why Germany is Interested in the Flamingo Missile
According to Denys Stilerman, the German government is showing significant interest in Ukrainian-developed weaponry. Berlin is currently evaluating strategic options should it need a replacement for American Tomahawk missiles, and the Flamingo has emerged as a highly attractive solution. This interest extends beyond missiles; the Bundeswehr is already incorporating Ukrainian drone technology into its arsenal.
Joint Ventures and the European Missile Shield
During his visit to Kyiv on May 11, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius praised Ukraine’s technological progress as "impressive." The two nations are currently negotiating the creation of joint ventures in three strategic areas:
- Production of long-range UAVs;
- Air Defense Systems (ADS);
- Electronic Warfare (EW) equipment.
Media reports also indicate that Fire Point signed a technological cooperation agreement with German missile manufacturer Diehl Defense in April 2026. While Stilerman did not explicitly confirm the deal, he noted that the company is collaborating with German partners to develop a unified European missile defense shield.
"The philosophy behind our weapon development is that we sell not only hardware and security, but also independence in security," the chief designer emphasized.
Technical Specifications and Production Capacity
The Ukrainian Flamingo missile boasts technical parameters that, in some categories, exceed those of Western counterparts:
- Maximum speed: Up to 950 km/h (Cruising speed: 850–900 km/h);
- Flight time: over 4 hours;
- Wingspan: up to 6 meters;
- Warhead: 1-ton warhead (compared to the Tomahawk’s 450 kg).
A key advantage of the Flamingo is its guidance system, which utilizes a combination of inertial navigation and satellite positioning designed specifically to be highly resistant to sophisticated enemy Electronic Warfare (EW) systems.
Regarding production, Fire Point is currently manufacturing approximately 200 Flamingo missiles per month. The company stated it is prepared to scale production significantly upon securing additional funding and long-term contracts.
