Germany may sign an agreement in the coming weeks to purchase the first batch of Ukrainian "Bars" cruise missiles for testing by the country’s armed forces. Technical tests are scheduled to begin in early 2027. If the results are successful, Berlin will consider ordering several hundred missiles. This was reported by the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the plans, as reported by Dengi.ua.
What Is Known About Ukraine’s "Bars" Missiles
Depending on the variant, the "Bars" missile is capable of striking targets at a range of up to 1,000 km and carrying a warhead weighing up to 105 kg. In Ukraine, it is sometimes referred to as a "drone missile," while the German side views the design as an inexpensive cruise missile.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian military regularly uses the "Bars" to strike military bases and energy facilities on Russian territory.
The missiles are produced by a Ukrainian-German joint venture established as part of the "Build with Ukraine" initiative, which Zelenskyy launched in 2025. Detailed information about the company is currently limited.
In October, Ukraine received its first shipment of German-made missiles, funded by Berlin. Now, production can also be used to meet the needs of the German military itself.
Why Germany Is Interested in Ukrainian Weapons
The potential purchase of "Bars" missiles is part of Germany’s large-scale five-year rearmament program, valued at 780 billion euros. Berlin intends to increase its stockpiles of long-range weapons amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and doubts about the reliability of U.S. security guarantees under President Donald Trump.
Germany had previously signed a preliminary agreement to purchase American Tomahawk cruise missiles manufactured by Raytheon. However, the cost of a single missile is estimated at $4–6 million, and due to limited production capacity, deliveries may be delayed until the 2030s.
Therefore, German authorities are exploring more affordable options for long-range weapons.
In addition to the Ukrainian "Bars" missiles, Berlin plans to purchase a small batch of Anthem missiles developed by the American startup Covenant. According to the Financial Times, they are about ten times cheaper than the Tomahawk. The Ukrainian-developed missile is expected to be even cheaper.
At the same time, a potential purchase of Ukrainian "Flamingo" missiles has been postponed for now.
What Role Could Low-Cost Missiles Play in Germany’s Defense?
Christian Freuding, commander of the German Army, previously stated that low-cost long-range systems can complement high-precision cruise missiles.
It is assumed that such weapons could be used for massive strikes at a range of about 1,500 km and to overwhelm enemy air defenses. This would allow more expensive munitions to be reserved for striking strategically important targets.
The final decision on the procurement of Ukrainian "Bars" missiles will depend on the results of technical tests. If the missiles confirm their claimed performance characteristics, Germany will be able to move from testing to ordering a large batch of weapons.
