US EditionOnce-Reluctant Germany Goes Big on One-Way Attack Drones
Contracts with two startups mark the start of a €9 billion multi-year program to equip Bundeswehr with attack drones to counter Russian threats, officials said.
- On Feb 25, German lawmakers approved contracts worth 536000000 with Helsing and Stark Defence to acquire attack drones, part of a 9 billion euro plan.
- Security concerns over the Ukraine war pushed aside Germany's past political debates on lethal unmanned drones after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- The German Parliament's budget committee approved the package yesterday despite some criticism over Peter Thiel, US billionaire investor, while officials confirmed the unnamed contractor provided written assurance and capped orders at one billion euros per supplier.
- By 2027, the defence ministry expects the attack drones to be deployed to Lithuania to bolster NATO defences, with Rheinmetall, German defence giant, joining future orders.
- Amid scrutiny over investor involvement, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Feb 25 he was satisfied with Stark Defence’s details that Mr Thiel’s stake is less than 10 per cent and he has no special access.
38 Articles
38 Articles
Once-reluctant Germany goes big on one-way attack drones
COLOGNE, Germany — The German government plans to equip its military forces with one-way attack drones, setting up three domestic manufacturers for deals that could reach billions of euros.Lawmakers on the parliamentary budget committee on Feb. 25 approved contracts worth €268 million ($316 million) each for startups Stark Defence and Helsing to supply the Virtus and HX-2 loitering munitions, respectively. Contractual options could add €1 billio…
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The budget committee of the Bundestag has given the green light for the purchase of kamikazedrones for the Bundeswehr. The budget politicians approved plans from the Ministry of Defence, which wants to order weapons systems of the German manufacturers Helsing and Stark Defence to the extent of initially around 540 million euros.
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