Germany is interested in the FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile made by the Ukrainian firm Fire Point. The Flamingo can reportedly strike targets 1,800 miles away.
JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP
Germany is turning to Israel and Ukraine to potentially acquire the low-cost, long-range cruise missiles it needs to deter Russia, according to German defense ministry planning documents seen by POLITICO, which, along with Business Insider, is part of the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network.The push has taken on new urgency after US President Donald Trump decided not to deploy a unit of troops equipped with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Germany and Berlin's efforts to buy the missiles for itself remain open.Now, the arms directorate in Germany's defense ministry is interested in smaller defense companies such as Ukraine's Fire Point and Israel's Covenant, according to industry and government officials familiar with the matter.Two Ukrainian companies are in the running — a first for a major European defense contract — highlighting the technological leap in Kyiv's defense industry.Berlin looks past the US
German officials are also considering an upgraded Taurus missile for longer-range strikes. The air-launched missile is built via an MBDA Deutschland GmbH-Saab partnership and is deployed by the German Air Force.
