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German army prepares to develop deep-strike drones, Handelsblatt reports

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on July 28, 2025

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· Last updated: January 22, 2026

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BERLIN (Reuters) -The German armed forces are preparing to develop long-range combat drones capable of striking targets deep in enemy territory, the Handelsblatt newspaper reported on Monday. Three

Germany's Armed Forces Set to Develop Long-Range Combat Drones

BERLIN (Reuters) -The German armed forces are preparing to develop long-range combat drones capable of striking targets deep in enemy territory, the Handelsblatt newspaper reported on Monday.

Three consortia are working on concrete concepts after the Luftwaffe airforce sent a request for deep-strike drones to leading defence companies and startups, the report said.

According to the report, Airbus Defence is contributing to the project alongside U.S. startup Kratos, while Germany's Rheinmetall has teamed up with drone specialist Anduril. Munich-based startup Helsing is also involved, the report said.

The German defence ministry confirmed preparations for such a project to Handelsblatt, saying that initial talks had taken place but that no formal tender had been issued.

The ministry and the companies mentioned did not respond to emailed requests for comment from Reuters.

(Writing by Friederike Heine, Editing by Rachel More)

Key Takeaways

  • German armed forces plan to develop long-range combat drones.
  • Three consortia are working on drone concepts.
  • Airbus Defence and Kratos are involved in the project.
  • Rheinmetall partners with Anduril for drone development.
  • No formal tender has been issued yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of drones is the German army preparing to develop?
The German armed forces are preparing to develop long-range combat drones capable of striking targets deep in enemy territory.
Which companies are involved in the deep-strike drone project?
Airbus Defence is collaborating with U.S. startup Kratos, while Germany's Rheinmetall has partnered with drone specialist Anduril.
Has the German defense ministry issued a formal tender for the drones?
The German defense ministry confirmed preparations for the project but stated that no formal tender has been issued yet.
What has the Luftwaffe airforce requested from defense companies?
The Luftwaffe airforce sent a request for deep-strike drones to leading defense companies and startups.
Did the companies involved respond to requests for comment?
The ministry and the companies mentioned did not respond to emailed requests for comment from Reuters.

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