Germany to test Ukrainian Bars missiles for first offensive purchase

The German government is preparing to acquire Ukrainian-developed Bars missiles for the Bundeswehr, a move that would mark the first time the armed forces have purchased offensive weaponry from a non-NATO ally for its own use. According to a Financial Times report citing sources familiar with the plans, an agreement for an initial batch is expected to be signed in the coming weeks.

The missiles will be used for technical trials in early 2027. If the tests yield satisfactory results, the German military intends to expand the purchase to several hundred units. The Bars is a jet-powered weapon with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers and a payload capacity of up to 105 kilograms, depending on the specific modification.

Ukrainian officials have frequently referred to the Bars as a drone missile, but Germany classifies it as a low-cost cruise missile. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the weapon as a key tool for striking military bases and energy facilities inside Russian territory. The procurement fits into a wider German strategy to build a long-range strike arsenal to strengthen European deterrence against Moscow.

Production of the Bars has already begun in Germany through a joint Ukrainian-German company. The first batch of German-made missiles, funded by Berlin, was delivered to Ukraine in October. The joint venture will now produce the weapon for German consumption as well. The operations of this joint company remain largely secretive.

Berlin is also planning to test a small batch of Anthem cruise missiles from the US startup Covenant. The Anthem costs roughly one-tenth as much as a Tomahawk, which is priced between 4 million and 6 million US dollars. One source noted that the Bars is cheaper than the Anthem, but Germany is ready 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 German plan to buy BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles and Typhon ground-based launchers from US manufacturer Raytheon could be delayed by up to five years. Media reports indicate that the German government expects to spend nearly 12 billion euros on a new arsenal of long-range weapons meant to deter Russia. Denmark recently announced a one billion dollar deal to buy high-precision long-range missiles for the first time in its history.