The German Ministry of Defense is considering the acquisition of Ukrainian and Israeli cruise missiles as substitutes for American Tomahawk missiles in its long-range strike arsenal. This move comes amid challenges in securing Tomahawk missiles directly from the United States.
According to reports from Politico, which accessed planning documents from the German defense ministry, the country’s arms management has reached out to the Ukrainian company Fire Point and the Israeli startup Covenant for their missile offerings.
The search for alternatives has been prompted by former President Donald Trump’s decision not to deploy Tomahawk missile units in Germany, coupled with the depletion of U.S. stockpiles due to ongoing conflicts, particularly with Iran. The Washington Post estimates that around 850 Tomahawk missiles were used in the early weeks of the conflict, amounting to about a quarter of the total U.S. inventory. The U.S. Navy is expected to receive only 110 new missiles this year.
Efforts by Germany to purchase Tomahawk missiles directly have also faced delays, as the Pentagon is not expected to initiate the sales process until mid-2026, according to Politico.
The planning documents highlight two specific Ukrainian systems: the “Flamingo” cruise missile from Fire Point and the medium-range drone “Bars.” The “Flamingo” boasts a range of 3,000 kilometers and a one-ton warhead, already capable of striking targets within Russia. Its cost is a significant advantage, priced at approximately $500,000 per unit, which is five times less than the Tomahawk.
German manufacturer IRIS-T Diehl Defence is reportedly in discussions with Fire Point regarding potential joint production of the “Flamingo” in Germany.
Germany’s strategy involves a four-phase plan to develop a multi-layered long-range strike capability:
- Acquisition of the American Typhon launch system starting in 2029;
- Procurement of affordable cruise missiles beginning in 2027;
- Development of a high-performance cruise missile in collaboration with the UK by 2032;
- Creation of a hypersonic glide vehicle, also in partnership with the UK, by 2035.
Last week, the Financial Times reported that Diehl Defence is already planning negotiations with Fire Point to initiate production of the “Flamingo” in Germany. Fire Point has previously announced new ballistic missiles, FP-7 and FP-9, as well as the Freya air defense system, developed in collaboration with Diehl Defence.
Germany is shifting its focus to Ukrainian and Israeli missile systems as it seeks alternatives to American Tomahawks, amid procurement delays and stockpile concerns. The initiative includes plans for joint production and a multi-phase strategy for enhancing long-range strike capabilities.
Source: RBK-Ukraine