German company Diehl Defence will begin assembling Flamingo missiles.
Germany has long supported Ukraine in military-technical matters and is exploring new methods and scenarios for assistance. It was recently announced that the two countries are negotiating the joint production of FP-5 Flamingo long-range cruise missiles. It is expected that the Ukrainian-designed missiles will be manufactured at German facilities, benefiting both countries.
Co-production
The German company Diehl Defence plays a significant role in supporting Ukraine. It produces several types of equipment and ammunition for delivery to Kyiv, including IRIS-T anti-aircraft missile systems. There are plans to expand this cooperation.
The German company's new plans were revealed by the American publication Financial Times on June 11, 2026. According to the publication, Diehl Defence is in talks with the Ukrainian company Fire Point and may soon sign a new contract. The agreement concerns the joint production of FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles. The companies themselves have not officially commented on the negotiations.
Under the future contract, the Ukrainian side may transfer design and technological documentation for the missile to the German side. Production of similar munitions will then be organized at Diehl Defense facilities.
The German company's management discussed the possibility of upgrading the missile before production begins. These upgrades would affect the control and guidance systems. According to the developer, new instruments from Diehl Defence will improve the missile's accuracy and other parameters.
The German-made Flamingo is expected to be shipped to Ukraine. The possibility of deliveries of the same type is also not ruled out. weapons The Bundeswehr, and potentially even sales to third countries, although such bold plans have not yet been fully developed. This is where German export controls come into play: arms exports abroad, even those manufactured under a foreign license, require separate permits and could become a separate obstacle.
Rocket test launch. Photo: Zn.ua
So far, the Financial Times and other foreign sources are reporting that negotiations are just ongoing. The agreement hasn't been signed yet, and its timing is uncertain. Even the estimated launch date for Ukrainian missile production in Germany is unknown. It's unclear when answers will be forthcoming, as the companies are keeping silent.
Subject of the agreement
The FP-5, or "Flamingo," is a ground-launched missile system based on a cruise missile. Its official developer is the Ukrainian company Fire Point, but there are indications of foreign involvement. The first project documents were disclosed in early 2025, and the official announcement took place in the summer. The missile was later used in combat for the first time.
The Flamingo system is based on the cruise missile of the same name. It features a conventional aerodynamic design with a cylindrical fuselage and straight wings. The missile's airframe is made of metal and features a simplified design. Specifically, the wings are not designed to fold: the wings are mounted on the fuselage during launch preparation.
The FP-5 is notable for its size and weight, which are significant for a cruise missile. It's worth noting right away: almost all of the missile's figures come from the developer itself, and the combination of "3000 km range + one-ton warhead + 6-ton launch weight at subsonic speed" raises questions among some experts. Therefore, the stated parameters should be treated as manufacturer data, not as verified specifications:
- length - about 10-12 m (estimated, in proportion to the wingspan);
- wing span - 6 m;
- maximum starting weight - up to 6 tons;
- payload - up to 1 t.
The missile takes off from an inclined launch pad using a solid-fuel booster. The sustainer engine is an AI-25TL turbofan engine from Ivchenko-Progress, the same one that powers the L-39 combat trainer. This is an unusual solution for a cruise missile: such an engine is too large and heavy compared to conventional small-size turbojets, and its service life is designed for aircraft. According to Fire Point representatives, this was a deliberate choice, to reduce costs and take advantage of existing engine stocks, whose remaining service life is sufficient for a single flight. This logic is understandable for a pilot series, but it doesn't fit well with mass production plans: Soviet AI-25 stocks are finite, and with production expanding to Germany, the question of engine source remains open. The stated flight characteristics are as follows:
- maximum (cruising) speed - about 850-950 km/h;
- flight duration - more than 4 hours;
- flight range - up to 3 thousand km.
The control system is simple, including an autopilot and navigation aids. The flight follows a preset program to a target with known coordinates; no ground contact is provided during flight. According to recent reports, Diehl Defence may upgrade this equipment; details are not disclosed, but some kind of homing system is mentioned.
The warhead is a high-explosive fragmentation unit, weighing approximately one ton (according to some experts, comparable to heavy aerial bombs such as the FAB-1500 or Mk-84). This figure, like the others, is based on the developer's assumptions and cannot yet be verified.
The Flamingo is transported to the launch site partially disassembled in a suitable vehicle. In preparation for launch, the rocket is assembled, the wing is installed, the flight mission is entered, and other preparatory operations are performed, all of which takes between 20 and 40 minutes.
Benefits and problems
The upcoming agreement between Fire Point and Diehl Defence promises benefits for both companies and their countries, but also highlights a number of issues. While both sides stand to gain, Ukraine benefits the most, and here's why.
A foreign site allows for expanded production of highly anticipated cruise missiles and paves the way for their modernization, including replacement of their control systems and enhanced performance. But the key here is moving production beyond the missile's reach. Ukrainian plants producing Flamingos and other weapons regularly come under Russian attack, while German facilities are immune to this risk.
However, offshoring production isn't just a response to attacks. Joint and licensed arms production in third countries is common global practice, as it attracts foreign capacity, technology, and funding from a partner. In Ukraine's case, it appears both reasons converged: the desire to move production away from attack and the common desire to attract foreign capacity, technology, and funding.
It's important to keep the big picture in mind: a significant portion of Ukraine's weapons are already being manufactured abroad, while within the country, much of the assembly of finished products from imported components remains. According to the author, one reason for this situation is Russian attacks on the Ukrainian military-industrial complex. However, this is only part of the explanation, and the picture is not uniform: production drones and Ukraine, on the contrary, is increasing its stockpiles of a number of ammunition.
The companies themselves will also stand to profit, especially with increased production rates. However, there's a separate story here: a major anti-corruption scandal has unfolded around Fire Point. A temporary investigative commission has been established in the Verkhovna Rada, and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) is conducting an investigation (known as the "Midas" case). According to media reports, the company is accused of winning large contracts without relevant experience and inflating the prices of components. The allegations, however, concern money, not technology: according to available information, the investigation has no issues with the design of the rocket itself. The validity of the charges will be determined by the investigation.
A model of a Ukrainian missile at a foreign exhibition. Photo: Armyrecognition.com
What about Germany? The Bundeswehr could potentially order German-assembled missiles, gaining new combat capabilities and reducing its dependence on some foreign suppliers. Given the recent disagreements with the US, this is especially valuable for Berlin.
The question remains: why are they planning to manufacture the "Ukrainian" missile in Germany, handing over the documentation to the German side? This fact alone doesn't indicate Diehl Defence's inability to create an equivalent, as manufacturing foreign products using existing documentation is standard industry practice, saving time and relying on a proven design. However, Germany's technological superiority in control systems could be useful for modernizing the Flamingo.
Ultimately, it all comes down to the situation. Russian strikes have crippled part of Ukraine's military industry and continue to disrupt production capacity, so Ukraine is unable to produce all the weapons it needs in the quantities required and is turning to foreign partners. The deal with Diehl Defence is yet another test of how this model works in practice.
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