Denis Shtilerman, co-founder of Ukrainian defense company Fire Point, stated on May 14, 2026, that the German government is considering replacing American Tomahawk long-range missiles with Ukrainian “Flamingo” missiles. This potential shift follows a technological cooperation agreement signed in April between Fire Point and German manufacturer Diehl Defence.
The claim, detailed in an interview with the Financial Times, signals a possible realignment in European procurement strategies and a growing reliance on battle-tested Ukrainian military technology. According to Shtilerman, the interest from Berlin extends beyond the procurement of existing hardware to the fundamental replacement of established United States defense systems within the German arsenal.
Fire Point and the “Flamingo” Alternative
The center of this development is the “Flamingo,” a long-range missile developed by Fire Point. While the Tomahawk has long served as the gold standard for long-range precision strikes for NATO allies, the Ukrainian alternative is now being positioned as a viable substitute. Shtilerman indicated that the German government is not merely observing Ukrainian progress but is actively evaluating the “Flamingo” as a replacement for the American systems.
This interest is not isolated to a single weapon system. Germany has already moved toward integrating Ukrainian drone technology into its own forces. The German government is currently purchasing FP-1 and FP-2 drones produced by Fire Point for use by its armed forces. The transition from purchasing tactical drones to considering the replacement of strategic cruise missiles represents a significant escalation in the technological partnership between Kyiv and Berlin.
Strategic Cooperation with Diehl Defence
The institutional framework for this transition was established earlier this year. In April 2026, Fire Point and Diehl Defence, a prominent German missile manufacturer, signed a formal agreement on technological cooperation. This partnership suggests that the integration of Ukrainian designs may not be a simple purchase of finished products, but rather a collaborative effort to merge Ukrainian operational experience with German industrial capacity.
The collaboration with Diehl Defence provides a bridge for Ukrainian technology to enter the European defense market. By partnering with an established domestic firm, Fire Point can bypass some of the traditional hurdles associated with the adoption of non-NATO standard weaponry, while Germany gains access to systems that have been iterated rapidly under active combat conditions.
Pistorius and the Shift Toward Joint Ventures
The diplomatic momentum for these changes was reinforced during a visit to Kyiv by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Monday, May 11, 2026. During his visit, Pistorius highlighted the speed and scale of Ukrainian innovation, noting that the technological progress achieved in Ukraine is extraordinary
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The technological achievements here, in Ukraine, are extraordinary.
Boris Pistorius, German Defense Minister
Pistorius indicated that Germany is exploring the creation of joint ventures focused on several critical domains. These include long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), air defense systems, and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. The Minister’s comments suggest a broader German strategy to move away from a purely donor-recipient relationship with Ukraine toward a peer-to-peer industrial partnership.
Geopolitical Implications for European Defense
If Germany proceeds with replacing Tomahawks with “Flamingo” missiles, it would mark one of the most visible shifts in European defense procurement since the start of the conflict. For decades, the United States has been the primary provider of high-end strategic strike capabilities for Western Europe. A move toward Ukrainian systems would indicate a growing desire for European strategic autonomy and a recognition that the pace of innovation in active conflict zones may outstrip traditional defense procurement cycles.
The move also reflects a change in how Western powers perceive “battle-proven” technology. Rather than relying solely on simulations and controlled testing, the German Ministry of Defense appears to be prioritizing systems that have demonstrated efficacy against modern integrated air defense systems. The “Flamingo” and the FP-series drones represent a shift toward asymmetric, cost-effective, and rapidly deployable munitions.
However, the transition remains subject to significant technical and political hurdles. The replacement of a system as integrated as the Tomahawk requires not only the missile itself but a compatible command-and-control infrastructure and logistics chain. While the agreement with Diehl Defence addresses some of these industrial concerns, the political optics of reducing reliance on American strategic weaponry may require careful handling within the NATO framework.
As of May 14, the claims regarding the “Flamingo” remain centered on statements from Fire Point leadership and the general supportive rhetoric from Minister Pistorius. Official confirmation from the German Ministry of Defense regarding the specific intent to phase out the Tomahawk has not been issued, but the trajectory of the Fire Point-Diehl partnership suggests a deepening integration of Ukrainian weaponry into the heart of European defense planning.
