Germany orders combat drones for half a billion euros

The German government plans to purchase attack drones with a total value of 536 million euros. The orders are to be fulfilled by German startups Helsing and Stark Defence, according to Reuters. Based on documents obtained by Reuters journalists, Berlin is preparing contracts for loitering munitions—unmanned systems capable of remaining over an operational area for extended periods and striking selected targets. The agreements are part of a larger framework deal worth 4.3 billion euros. The decision still requires formal approval from the Bundestag's budget committee, but according to parliamentary sources, its approval is practically a foregone conclusion. The magazine "Der Spiegel" was the first to report on the planned order. The purchased drones are first set to go to the 45th Armored Brigade of the Bundeswehr, stationed in Lithuania as part of NATO's enhanced presence on the Alliance's eastern flank. According to the documents, the contracts with Helsing and Stark Defence are planned for a period of seven years. Deliveries of the first batch of systems are scheduled for early 2027. The order is intended to strengthen the reconnaissance and strike capabilities of the German land forces and accelerate the Bundeswehr's adaptation to the modern battlefield