Ukraine and Germany unite efforts for BARS drone production
Ukraine and Germany have signed an implementation agreement on joint production of BARS drones as part of the Build with Ukraine initiative. The agreement was signed by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius.
The Build with Ukraine initiative aims to establish productions in partner countries using Ukrainian technologies. In the first phase of the project, funding will be provided by the German side, and all drones will be delivered to Ukrainian Defence Forces. This type of cooperation allows retaining intellectual property rights in Ukraine, offering long-term integration of Ukrainian solutions into international supply chains.
The BARS drone is a hybrid cruise missile-drone developed by Ukrainian companies in 2024–2025. It can reach speeds of 800 km/h and has a range of 700 to 800 km. BARS is designed for mass production and strikes against military infrastructure, making it an important element for Ukraine’s defense strategy.
It is worth noting that in June 2026, German ARX Robotics and Ukrainian Roboneers founded a joint venture, ARX Industries, for the production of land-based robotic complexes, further highlighting the success of international cooperation.
Other countries, such as Estonia, are also actively collaborating with Ukraine in the defense field. Notably, a bilateral agreement on defense cooperation, Drone Deal, envisions joint development of air defense means.
| Partner Country | Project | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | BARS Production | Supply to Ukrainian Defence Forces |
| Estonia | Drone Deal | Joint Weaponry Production |
