Germany Set to Buy Ukrainian Bars Missiles for Bundeswehr Trials

European nations are accelerating efforts to build independent long-range strike capabilities, and Germany is taking a specific step in that direction. The German government is preparing to purchase Bars missiles developed in Ukraine for the first time, according to a report by the Financial Times that cited sources familiar with the plans.

The agreement is expected to be signed in the coming weeks. It will cover an initial batch of the weapons, which the Bundeswehr intends to use for technical trials early next year. If those trials yield satisfactory results, the German military could expand the purchase to several hundred units.

The Bars is a jet-powered missile with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers. Depending on the modification, it carries a payload of up to 105 kilograms. While Ukrainian personnel often refer to it as a drone missile, the German military classifies it as a low-cost cruise missile. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has noted that the weapon has been used to strike military bases and energy facilities on Russian territory.

Production of the missile has already moved to German soil. A joint Ukrainian-German company, whose operations remain confidential, has manufactured the weapon in recent months. The first batch of these German-made missiles, funded by Berlin, was delivered to Ukraine in October. The joint venture will now produce missiles for Germany's own inventory, marking the first known procurement of Ukrainian-developed offensive weaponry for the Bundeswehr.

Berlin is also evaluating other systems. The government plans to buy and 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 US$4 million and US$6 million. One source indicated that the Bars is even cheaper, but Germany is ready to acquire both. Plans to buy 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. Acquisitions of the BGM-109 Tomahawk and the Typhon ground-based launcher from Raytheon face potential delays of up to five years. Media reports indicate the German government expects to spend nearly 12 billion euros on a new arsenal of long-range weapons to deter Russia. Denmark recently announced a separate billion-dollar deal for high-precision long-range missiles.

The move reflects a wider strategic shift in European defense planning. By integrating Ukrainian technology and diversifying supplier bases, Germany aims to reduce reliance on existing stockpiles. The upcoming trials will determine how quickly the Bars can become a standard part of the Bundeswehr's inventory alongside other systems.