Germany plans to purchase Ukrainian "Leopard" missiles to expand remote strike capabilities.

[Global Times Special Correspondent Chen Qi] According to reports from multiple media outlets including the Financial Times, Bloomberg, and the Russian Satellite News Agency on the 26th, Germany is preparing to procure a batch of low-cost cruise missiles from Ukraine to enhance its long-range strike capabilities. The Financial Times stated that this model of missile will be the first Ukrainian-developed offensive weapon purchased by the Bundeswehr.

The Financial Times cited informed officials as saying that this deal is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. The initial order quantity is not large, and it will be tested by the Bundeswehr at the beginning of next year. If the test launch is successful, it is reported that Berlin may subsequently add hundreds of additional orders. This cruise missile is named "Bars," which means "snow leopard" in both Russian and Ukrainian. The weapon uses jet propulsion, with a maximum range of up to 1,000 kilometers and a warhead payload of up to 105 kilograms. Reports indicate that this move highlights the changing relationship between Kyiv and its European allies: more NATO countries are looking to introduce military technologies from Ukraine that have been tested in actual combat.

Germany and Ukraine signed an agreement in July 2026 to cooperate in the production of the "snow leopard" missile. Fabian Hoffman, a senior researcher at the Norwegian Defense Research Institute, stated: "It is the largest low-cost cruise missile produced in Ukraine and also the model with the highest number of actual launches. This means that this equipment has a high level of maturity, and Ukraine and Germany have accumulated a large amount of operational performance data."

Reports indicate that Ukraine is actively promoting arms exports, selling equipment to overseas clients, including Western aid countries. In February of this year, the Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine revealed to Reuters that Ukraine hopes to generate billions of dollars in revenue from arms exports this year. In early 2026, Ukrainian President Zelensky announced plans to establish nearly ten foreign military trade centers in Europe.