Germany Plans to Buy Ukrainian Bars Missiles for Bundeswehr Trials
Germany could sign a deal within weeks for a first batch of Ukrainian-developed Bars missiles to be tested by the Bundeswehr. If the trials succeed, the order could grow to several hundred missiles.
The German government plans to sign a contract in the coming weeks for a first batch of Ukrainian-developed Bars missiles so that the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces, can test them. The British newspaper Financial Times reported this, citing sources familiar with the plans. If the tests are successful, the order could be expanded to several hundred missiles.
What the Bars is
The Bars is a jet-powered missile with a range of up to 1,000 km and a payload of up to 105 kg, depending on the variant. Ukrainians sometimes call it a "missile-drone", but Germany regards it as an inexpensive cruise missile. The first batch will let German troops carry out technical trials early next year.
The plan is part of wider German efforts to strengthen European deterrence of Moscow by expanding its arsenal of long-range strike weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named the Bars among the weapons used to hit military bases and energy facilities in Russia.
Production in Germany
In recent months the Bars has also been manufactured in Germany by a joint Ukrainian-German venture whose operations are kept secret. The first batch built in Germany and paid for by the German side was delivered to Ukraine in October. The venture will now also produce for Germany, which would be the first known purchase of Ukrainian-developed offensive weapons for the Bundeswehr's own use.
Other purchases
Germany also intends to buy and test a small number of Anthem cruise missiles made by the US start-up Covenant. The Anthem costs roughly one tenth of the price of a Tomahawk, which ranges from $4 million to $6 million. According to one source, the Bars is cheaper still, but Germany is ready to buy both systems. A possible purchase of Ukraine's Flamingo cruise missile has reportedly been postponed for now.
At present the German military uses only the air-launched Taurus cruise missile, which has a range of about 500 km. Germany's plan to buy the Tomahawk and the Typhon ground-based launcher from US manufacturer Raytheon could be delayed by up to five years. According to media reports, the German government expects the new long-range arsenal to require almost 12 billion euros.
