German Diehl seeks joint production of 'Flamingo' missiles with Ukraine's Fire Point

German defense company Diehl, known for its IRIS-T air defense systems, has expressed interest in cooperating with Ukrainian company Fire Point to potentially produce Ukraine's 'Flamingo' missiles on German soil.

According to the Financial Times, Diehl Defence plans to hold negotiations with Fire Point on joint production, specifically of the FP-5 'Flamingo' cruise missiles in Germany. Diehl CEO Helmut Rauch told media at the ILA Berlin Air Show that Diehl could offer Ukrainian partners a more advanced guidance mechanism, citing the company's long-standing expertise.

The announcement comes amid Germany's concerns about alternatives to US Tomahawk missiles, after President Donald Trump scrapped plans to deploy them in Germany this year along with a battalion of US troops. The stated range of the 'Flamingo' exceeds that of the Tomahawk, but outside observers remain cautious as the missile is brand new and has only recently seen practical use.

One of the last publicly reported strikes using the 'Flamingo' targeted a military plant in Cheboksary, over 900 km from Ukraine's borders. In April, Diehl and Fire Point signed a technological agreement, the details of which were not disclosed. In May, Fire Point stated that the German government is considering replacing Tomahawks with 'Flamingo' missiles, and the party of Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for creating an alternative to Tomahawks together with Ukraine.