Ukraine and Germany Ink Deal for Joint Production of 'BARS' Missile-Drone Hybrid

Ukraine and Germany have formalized a significant defense cooperation by signing an agreement to jointly produce the 'BARS' hybrid missile-drone system. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius finalized the deal in Ankara, Turkey, on the sidelines of a NATO summit.

The 'BARS' system, a Ukrainian creation, has already proven its effectiveness on the battlefield, with Kiev's forces utilizing it successfully to strike targets within enemy territory. This joint production initiative falls under the 'Build with Ukraine' framework, a collaborative effort involving Ukraine and several European nations aimed at boosting Kiev's military industrial capacity.

Under the agreement, Germany will provide the necessary funding for the initial phase of 'BARS' production. All drones manufactured through this partnership will be delivered directly to the Ukrainian Army. This move underscores Germany's deepening commitment to supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities beyond immediate military aid.

Minister Sybiha also used the meeting in Ankara to reiterate Ukraine's urgent need for additional air defense systems and interceptor missiles to counter Russian ballistic missile threats. The defense ministers' discussions highlighted the ongoing strategic partnership between Ukraine and Germany in addressing the security challenges posed by the conflict.