Germany to Acquire Advanced Loitering Munitions
The German Ministry of Defense is set to award contracts totaling €600 million to defense startups Helsing and Stark Defence for the procurement of advanced loitering munitions, commonly known as 'kamikaze drones'. Parliamentary approval for this significant acquisition is expected in late February 2026. This move underscores Germany's strategic shift in defense procurement, directly informed by the evolving nature of warfare observed in Ukraine.
Lessons from Ukraine's Drone War Experience
The conflict in Ukraine has profoundly influenced Germany's defense strategy, particularly regarding the crucial role of drones and the challenges posed by electronic warfare (EW). The battlefield in Ukraine has served as a real-world testing ground, revealing the vulnerabilities of systems susceptible to sophisticated jamming techniques.
Notably, Ukraine suspended additional orders of German-made HX-2 strike drones from Helsing in late 2025, following abysmal performance during combat tests. An internal presentation by the German Defence Ministry in November indicated that only a quarter of these drones were able to launch successfully, and those that did were highly vulnerable to Russian electronic warfare, leading to communication loss with operators. Artificial intelligence components intended for autonomous operation were also reportedly missing.
Focus on Electronic Warfare Resilience
In contrast to the issues faced by earlier models, the loitering munitions from Helsing and Stark Defence, which are now slated for procurement, have undergone testing in Ukraine. These systems are designed with enhanced resilience against electronic warfare and have demonstrated superior performance during recent evaluations.
The Bundeswehr regards these battlefield experiences as crucial for developing future multi-domain operations. The new contracts are part of a larger €900 million procurement plan, with the loitering munitions intended to equip a German armored brigade stationed in Lithuania by 2027, reinforcing NATO's eastern flank.
Broader Defense Modernization
This procurement aligns with Germany's broader efforts to modernize its armed forces and enhance its drone defense capabilities. The country is also planning to acquire over 600 Skyranger 30 short-range air defense systems from Rheinmetall in a deal exceeding €9 billion, further emphasizing the focus on countering drone threats. The experiences from Ukraine highlight that civilian and dual-use technologies, especially drones combined with AI, are playing an increasingly pivotal role on the battlefield, necessitating robust and adaptable defense systems.
5 Comments
Africa
The focus on AI and drone technology is definitely the future of warfare, and learning from Ukraine is crucial. Yet, the long procurement timeline, with deployment by 2027, suggests a lack of urgency that doesn't align with the rapid evolution of battlefield needs.
Habibi
More taxpayer money poured into military projects with questionable track records. Where's the accountability?
Muchacho
Finally, Germany is learning from the realities of modern warfare. This is a crucial step for defense.
Coccinella
How can we trust 'enhanced resilience' claims when their previous drones failed miserably to EW? This is suspicious.
Loubianka
Another massive defense contract that won't deliver for years. Too slow, too expensive, potentially ineffective.