Germany to Test Ukrainian BARS Cruise Missile for Bundeswehr

A first for German defence procurement Germany Plans to Test Ukrainian BARS Cruise Missile

2026-10-27 From Detlev Karg 2 min Reading Time

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Germany is preparing to acquire an initial batch of Ukrainian-developed BARS cruise missiles for testing by the Bundeswehr. The jet-powered weapon has a reported range of up to 1,000 kilometres and could become part of Germany's efforts to establish a larger arsenal of comparatively inexpensive long-range precision weapons.

Germany is reportedly considering the acquisition of Ukrainian-developed BARS cruise missiles to strengthen the Bundeswehr's deep-strike capabilities. The illustration symbolises German-Ukrainian defence cooperation and shows a fictional missile inspired by the BARS design.(Picture: AI-generated) — Germany is reportedly considering the acquisition of Ukrainian-developed BARS cruise missiles to strengthen the Bundeswehr's deep-strike capabilities. The illustration symbolises German-Ukrainian defence cooperation and shows a fictional missile inspired by the BARS design.
(Picture: AI-generated)

Several German media outlets have reported on the procurement plans after the Kyiv Independent reported negotiations between Germany and Ukraine, while the Financial Times provided further details. According to the FT, an agreement for an initial batch could come within the next weeks, allowing the Bundeswehr to begin technical trials in early 2027. If successful, these could lead to an order for several hundred missiles.

Ukrainian technology for the Bundeswehr

BARS was developed in Ukraine and is already being used by Ukrainian forces against targets deep inside Russian territory. Depending on its configuration, the jet-powered system is reported to have a range of up to 1,000 kilometres and a payload capacity of up to 105 kilograms.Although the weapon is sometimes described in Ukraine as a jet-powered attack drone or drone missile, German defence planners reportedly regard it as a low-cost cruise missile. Germany and Ukraine agreed in July to establish joint production of BARS. According to the Financial Times, a Ukrainian-German joint venture is already manufacturing the weapon in Germany. The first German-funded batch was delivered to Ukraine in October. The planned procurement would mark a significant development in German-Ukrainian defence cooperation. It would be the first known acquisition of such an offensive weapon for the Bundeswehr's own use.

Expanding Germany's Deep-Strike capabilities

The potential acquisition forms part of Germany's broader efforts to expand its long-range strike capabilities. The Bundeswehr is seeking comparatively inexpensive precision weapons that can be manufactured and deployed in substantially greater numbers than conventional high-end cruise missiles. BARS is not the only system under consideration. Germany is also reportedly preparing to test the Anthem cruise missile developed by US defence company Covenant Industries. Bloomberg previously reported negotiations over a potentially much larger Anthem procurement. The two systems could complement more expensive long-range weapons by providing the Bundeswehr with additional strike capacity at lower unit costs. Such weapons are intended to strengthen deterrence and complicate an adversary's air-defence planning. For Germany, the potential procurement of BARS would also demonstrate how Ukrainian operational experience and European industrial capacity could be combined to accelerate the development and production of new defence capabilities.

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