German Military Targets 8,300 Drone Systems, Lagging NATO Allies
German plans call for an arsenal of about 5,700 unmanned aerial systems, 560 interceptors and 2,070 loitering munition systems in 2029.
Photographer: Peter Kneffel/picture alliance/Getty ImagesThe German military is looking to secure 8,300 drone systems by the end of the decade, far fewer than some of its NATO allies aim for, as spending on unmanned defense systems and autonomous weapons soars globally.
Germany’s armed forces plan to acquire the unmanned aerial systems, each of which can include multiple drones and equipment such as launchers and flight controllers, by 2029, according to a list of the ministry’s requirements that was reviewed by Bloomberg News. By comparison, millions of drones have been used by Ukraine and Russia during their war. Both the US and UK have placed drones at the center of their plans to modernize their militaries.