Germany’s Plan to Procure Ukrainian Missiles
Germany’s Ministry of Defense is exploring the purchase of Ukrainian long-range missiles to build its own arsenal of strike systems. The German Defense Ministry’s armaments division has reached out to the Ukrainian company Fire Point and the Israeli startup Covenant in search of alternatives to American Tomahawk cruise missiles. This move comes as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has shown reluctance to station Tomahawk missile units in Germany, and as U.S. stockpiles of these missiles have dwindled due to the conflict with Iran.
According to estimates from the Washington Post, the United States used roughly 850 Tomahawk missiles in the first weeks of the war, accounting for about a quarter of its total inventory. It is known that the U.S. Navy is slated to receive only 110 new Tomahawk missiles by 2026, and the Pentagon does not plan to begin the process of selling them to Germany before mid-2026. Documents from the German defense ministry reference Ukrainian systems, including the ‘Flamingo’ cruise missile and the ‘Bars’ jet-powered drone.
The ‘Flamingo’ Cruise Missile
The Flamingo missile has a range of up to 3,000 kilometers and carries a one-ton warhead. This missile has already been used to strike targets within Russian territory. Its estimated price is around $500,000, roughly five times cheaper than the American Tomahawk. German defense company Diehl Defence is in talks with Fire Point regarding joint production of Flamingo missiles on German soil.
Berlin is developing a multi-layered system of long-range strike capabilities, which includes:
- plans to purchase American Typhon launchers starting in 2029,
- acquisition of low-cost cruise missiles from 2027,
- joint development of a new cruise missile with the United Kingdom by 2032,
- creation of a hypersonic glide vehicle by 2035.
Donald Trump has stated that the U.S. is open to considering licensed production of American weapons in Ukraine and Europe, including the manufacturing of missiles for air defense systems.
As a result, Ukrainian arms manufacturers have a chance to secure one of the largest contracts in the history of cooperation with European partners, as Germany actively seeks alternatives to American Tomahawk cruise missiles.
This situation reflects Germany’s growing interest in strengthening its own defense capabilities and reducing reliance on U.S. military technology. Choosing Ukraine as a potential arms supplier could enhance military-industrial cooperation between the two countries and support Ukraine’s defense sector amid the ongoing conflict. In the context of global security, this could have far-reaching implications for regional politics and the military balance in Europe.
As Germany seeks to enhance its missile capabilities, the collaboration with Ukrainian firms could play a pivotal role. This initiative aligns with ongoing discussions about the joint development of advanced cruise missiles boasting ranges exceeding 3,000 kilometers. For more insights on this significant partnership, see the article on joint missile production efforts.