Germany has begun producing more than 5,000 long-range strike drones for Ukraine, in a move that will give Kyiv access to a substantial new supply of domestically manufactured weapons capable of reaching targets deep behind Russian lines.
The first units are already ready, while the tested systems are expected to enter service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces later this year, according to Handelsblatt.
A joint venture established in February between German-American defence technology company Auterion and Ukrainian developer Airlogix is manufacturing the drones near Munich. The programme is backed by the German government, with defence industry sources estimating the contract at about €300 million.
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The partners intend to complete the large-scale order by mid-2027, while anticipating further orders and longer-term co-operation between the companies.
Production is being spread across two German facilities to sustain output. Alongside the plant near Munich, assembly is also taking place at a second facility in eastern Germany.
The programme covers two drone variants: a medium-range model and a longer-range version capable of travelling as far as 1,500km. Both are designed as single-use strike systems carrying explosives to attack enemy targets.
The division of responsibilities reflects the two companies’ complementary capabilities. Airlogix supplies the airframes and mechanical components, while Auterion provides the software and operating system.
Artificial intelligence has been incorporated into the drones’ software, enabling them to continue towards designated targets in conditions where Russian electronic warfare systems are attempting to jam their communications and navigation.
The development reflects Ukraine’s growing reliance on long-range unmanned systems as it seeks to strike Russian military infrastructure and logistics beyond the immediate battlefield.
For Germany, the programme also represents an effort to build up domestic capacity to produce relatively inexpensive precision weapons at scale, rather than relying solely on conventional missile systems that are considerably more expensive and difficult to manufacture in large numbers.
Auterion chief executive Lorenz Meier said the project had provided Germany with its own production line for precision and relatively affordable weapons that could be manufactured in large quantities.
The acceleration of drone production comes as the character of the air war continues to evolve. Jet-powered Shahed drones, capable of speeds exceeding 400–450km/h, have increasingly posed difficulties for interceptor drones, which in many cases cannot maintain comparable speeds.
The expansion of Germany’s drone production therefore comes as European defence manufacturers face growing pressure to increase output of low-cost, autonomous and long-range systems, while Ukraine continues to adapt its methods of striking targets across the war zone.
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