BERLIN: As Berlin attempts to catch up with a technology that has demonstrated its lethal power in Ukraine, the German military will be equipped with loitering munitions, or exploding drones, for the first time, according to two defence ministry sources on Thursday.
Such single-use drones, which fly towards their target before crashing at high speed and detonating upon impact, have been used by both Russia and Ukraine. However, the purchase of weaponised drones in Germany has generated controversy since certain lawmakers have linked them to specific unlawful executions carried out by US forces in Afghanistan.
Parliament finally agreed in 2022 to allow a large drone, like the Heron TP, which flies at significantly higher altitudes, to carry weapons after years of intense deliberation. However, given the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and uncertainties surrounding the future of US military assistance, Germany’s military improvements are even more vital. Plans for an increase in defence spending totalling hundreds of billions of euros were approved by parliament last month.
The sources, who would not identify the companies, stated that contracts with two companies for a first batch of exploding drones will be inked in the next few days. In the upcoming months, they will be put to the test by the army, air force, and navy.
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