(Berlin) – Germany is preparing to finance the mass production of cruise missiles in Ukraine with a strike range of up to 2,500 kilometres. This major development in defence cooperation between the two countries was reported by German outlet Bild, ahead of a planned meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.
The financial commitment, described as running into the millions of euros (tens of millions of pounds), is expected to support Ukraine’s defence sector by enabling the production of long range precision weapons. These new missiles would give Ukraine the capacity to hit strategic military targets deep inside Russian territory, well beyond current frontline zones.
In addition to missile production, Politico reports that Germany will soon unveil a new military aid package for Ukraine, potentially worth billions of euros (billions of pounds). This broader assistance is likely to include air defence systems, other weaponry, and technical components that will further boost Ukraine’s domestic missile capabilities.
Although specific missile models were not disclosed, Ukraine has already made significant progress with its cruise missile technology. In March, President Zelenskyy revealed that the range of Ukraine’s homegrown Neptune missile had been extended to 1,000 kilometres.
The Neptune missile, originally designed to strike enemy warships, has been successfully adapted to hit land targets, including ammunition and fuel depots in Russian occupied territory and inside Russia itself. First modified in 2023, the ‘Long Neptune’ variant now features advanced guidance systems, including satellite positioning and infrared targeting in its final flight phase.
The latest funding from Germany could lead to the creation of an entirely new class of domestically produced missiles that would allow Ukraine to conduct precise, long range strikes against key Russian infrastructure. This represents a powerful deterrent and marks a turning point in Ukraine’s ability to independently target the Russian dictator’s military logistics.
