Germany Turns to Cheap Ukrainian Cruise Missiles to Deter Russia

Germany is preparing to purchase Ukrainian-developed cruise missiles for its armed forces, turning to a cheaper source of long-range firepower as Berlin seeks to strengthen European deterrence against Russia.

An agreement covering an initial batch of Bars missiles is expected within weeks, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the preparations.

Bundeswehr trials would begin early next year, with a possible order for several hundred weapons dependent on the results.

The acquisition would be the first known purchase of a Ukrainian-developed offensive weapon for Germany’s own military.

Ukrainian Technology, German Production

Bars, whose name means snow leopard in Ukrainian, uses jet propulsion and can reach targets up to 1,000km away. Its payload can weigh as much as 105kg, depending on the version.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has identified it among the weapons deployed against military bases and energy infrastructure inside Russia.

German officials classify Bars as a low-cost cruise missile, although it is sometimes described in Ukraine as a drone missile.

“It’s been the most mass-produced low-cost Ukrainian cruise missile,” said Fabian Hoffmann, a senior researcher at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies.

Hoffmann said its extensive use had given Ukraine and Germany substantial information about its performance.

A Ukrainian-German joint venture has been manufacturing Bars in Germany in recent months.

Details of the partnership remain closely guarded, but its first German-financed shipment reached Ukraine in October.

The venture emerged from Zelensky’s Build with Ukraine initiative, launched last year to expand overseas weapons production for Kyiv, limit exposure to Russian strikes and share expertise.

Access to NATO customers was a longer-term objective.

Production is now expected to serve the Bundeswehr as well.

Expanding the Strike Arsenal

Berlin’s search for long-range weapons forms part of a €780 billion military buildup over five years, driven by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and uncertainty over U.S. security commitments under President Donald Trump.

Germany has reached a preliminary agreement to acquire Raytheon’s Tomahawk missiles after Trump scrapped a planned deployment of a U.S. battalion equipped with the weapons to Germany.

But production constraints mean deliveries are unlikely before the 2030s. Each Tomahawk costs between $4 million and $6 million.

Berlin is also preparing to purchase a limited number of Anthem cruise missiles from U.S. startup Covenant for evaluation.

Anthem costs about one-tenth as much as a Tomahawk; Bars is cheaper still, according to a person familiar with the details.

Officials remain open to acquiring both. Consideration of Ukraine’s Flamingo missile has been suspended for now.

Volume Alongside High-End Weapons

German land forces chief Christian Freuding discussed the role of cheaper strike systems this month without identifying Bars or Anthem.

“These systems will allow us to engage targets at a depth of approximately 1,500km in large numbers, effectively saturating enemy air-defense systems.”

His remarks concerned the wider category of weapons. The range specified for Bars is up to 1,000km.

The procurement plans also indicate greater willingness in Berlin to work with startups and negotiate contracts while evaluating equipment, accelerating a process long dominated by major defense suppliers.

Other NATO countries are exploring Ukrainian technology.

Denmark has ordered nine Dropla unmanned ground vehicles for testing, while the U.S. Army awarded a $10 million contract to Skyeton’s American subsidiary for Raybird reconnaissance drones.