Germany Moves to Buy Ukrainian-Made Bars Missiles for Bundeswehr in Historic First

Germany is preparing to purchase Ukrainian-developed Bars cruise missiles for its armed forces, potentially marking the first time the Bundeswehr has acquired an offensive weapon designed in Ukraine.

According to the Financial Times on October 26, citing people familiar with the plans, Berlin could finalize an agreement for an initial batch within weeks. The missiles would undergo technical testing in early 2027, with successful trials potentially leading to an order of several hundred units.

The Bars is a jet-powered cruise missile capable of striking targets up to 1,000 kilometers away and carrying a warhead of up to 105 kilograms, depending on the variant. Ukrainian officials sometimes classify it as a drone-missile, while Germany considers it a low-cost cruise missile.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously identified Bars among the weapons used to strike Russian military bases and energy infrastructure.

The Financial Times reported that Bars missiles are already being manufactured in Germany through a Ukrainian-German joint venture established under the Build with Ukraine initiative. The first German-funded batch was delivered to Ukraine in October 2026.

The planned Bundeswehr purchase would expand the venture’s production beyond supplying Ukraine, reflecting growing European interest in Ukrainian defense technologies developed and tested during Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Germany is also seeking more affordable alternatives to American Tomahawk cruise missiles, which cost approximately $4 million to $6 million each and are unlikely to arrive before the 2030s because of production constraints.

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Category

War in Ukraine

Germany to Build Ukraine’s Long-Range BARS Strike Drones on Its Own Soil

Jul 08, 2026 15:09

According to the Financial Times, Bars missiles cost even less than the US-developed Anthem cruise missile, which is priced at roughly one-tenth of a Tomahawk. Berlin plans to test both systems, while a potential purchase of Ukraine’s Flamingo cruise missile has been postponed.

The procurement plans form part of Germany’s broader €780 billion rearmament effort over five years, aimed at expanding military capabilities and strengthening European deterrence against Russia.

Earlier, in September, a European joint venture began producing Ukraine’s Bars jet-powered drones, with initial deliveries scheduled for October. The system can reach speeds exceeding 700 km/h and strike targets up to 1,000 kilometers away. Its modular design allows developers to adjust payload capacity and range depending on operational requirements.

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