Germany Sets €12 Billion Target for Long-Range Strike Arsenal

The German government is preparing to purchase Ukrainian-developed Bars missiles for the first time, a move intended to expand the Bundeswehr's limited long-range strike capabilities. According to a Financial Times report cited by European Pravda, officials expect to sign an agreement for an initial batch within weeks. The missiles will undergo technical trials early next year, with the potential for the order to grow to several hundred units if the tests succeed.

The Bars is a jet-powered cruise missile capable of traveling up to 1,000 kilometers. Depending on the specific modification, it carries a payload of up to 105 kilograms. While Ukraine often refers to the system as a drone missile, Germany classifies it as a low-cost cruise missile. This designation fits into a wider German strategy to build a deterrent arsenal against Moscow.

Production of the missile is already underway in Germany through a joint Ukrainian-German company. The first batch of missiles manufactured in Germany, funded by Berlin, was delivered to Ukraine in October. The joint venture will now produce units specifically for the German military. This marks the first known instance of the Bundeswehr procuring Ukrainian-developed offensive weaponry for its own use.

Berlin is also planning to acquire a small batch of Anthem cruise missiles from the US startup Covenant. The Anthem costs roughly one-tenth as much as a Raytheon Tomahawk, which is priced between US$4 million and US$6 million. One source noted that the Bars is cheaper than both, but Germany intends 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 on the air-launched Taurus cruise missile, which has a range of about 500 kilometers. The planned purchase of the BGM-109 Tomahawk and the Typhon ground-based launcher from Raytheon could be delayed by up to five years. Media reports indicate that the German government expects to spend nearly €12 billion on a new arsenal of long-range weapons.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the Bars as one of the weapons used to strike military bases and energy facilities on Russian territory. The acquisition comes as other European nations seek to strengthen their security postures. Denmark recently announced a billion-dollar deal to buy high-precision long-range missiles for the first time in its history.