The Bundeswehr’s plans cover drones ranging from mini-UAVs carried by individual soldiers to longer-range reconnaissance platforms such as Rheinmetall’s Husar. Berlin also intends to add deep-strike drones capable of flying over 1,000 kilometers just below the speed of sound. However, officials are wary of making large purchases too quickly, fearing that rapid innovation could leave systems obsolete before they are deployed. The strategy instead aims to create industrial capacity for rapid scaling if conflict demands it.

Germany’s annual defense budget is set to nearly double to €162 billion within four years, but much of the increase will go toward conventional equipment, with drones supplementing these forces. The country lags behind allies like the UK — which aims for 80% of its land forces to be autonomous in future conflicts — and the US, where the Pentagon has called drones the “biggest battlefield innovation in a generation.”

Lessons From Ukraine And Operational Priorities

The war in Ukraine has underscored drones’ decisive role, with some 70% of casualties attributed to unmanned systems on both sides. Ukrainian forces produce millions of drones annually, while Russia has launched hundreds in single-day strikes. Analysts warn that Germany’s planned stockpile would be consumed quickly in a high-intensity conflict.

To address production gaps, Berlin has signed contracts with startups Helsing and Stark Defense to test new attack drones, but executives warn they need large, sustained orders to build manufacturing capacity. Defense experts stress that Germany must not only acquire drones but also define the battlefield effects it seeks to achieve, ensuring procurement aligns with strategic objectives.