Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s ruling coalition sealed a deal to arm German drones, approving a defense ministry request to purchase ammunition worth 152 million euros ($166 million) from Israel’s state-run Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
The decision to arm the Israeli-made Heron-TP drones, leased by the German military, is part of a wider shift in Berlin’s defense policy triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Scholz in late February announced the creation of a debt-financed special fund worth 100 billion euros to modernize the Bundeswehr armed forces and meet NATO’s annual defense spending goal of 2% of economic output each year.
The Bundeswehr has been demanding armed drones for years to help protect soldiers during missions abroad and back up military convoys in dangerous terrain. Combat drones could also play a role in defending Germany and NATO allies. Until now, the army has only used drones for reconnaissance purposes, including in Mali.
Lawmakers on the lower house of parliament’s defense committee approved the government’s request to purchase 140 rockets to arm the Heron drones, according to people familiar with the decision, who asked not to be identified because the information is confidential.
Sixty rockets will be purchased for training purposes and 80 for possible use in combat, the people said. The meeting was not open to the public.
The lower house’s budget committee approved the move, according to a statement from the defense ministry. A draft resolution for the committee obtained by Bloomberg News says that the drones can only be used in combat if parliament has explicitly approved it.
The Bundestag’s budget committee is also expected on Thursday to give the green light to preliminary plans for spending a first tranche of 2.4 billion euros out of the 100 billion euros from the military fund.
The defense ministry wants to spend the cash on purchasing new gear including more than 305,000 bulletproof vests, 150,000 combat uniforms, 122,000 helmets and 250,000 backpacks.
Experience the power of on demand 3D printing services. Whether you need a prototype, verification of a design or an appearance model, or are looking for low-volume or bridge manufacturing, we can help you with parts get produced fast and accurately.
Automated Storage & Retrieval System
PARS is a high-capability Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) designed for both military and commercial applications, providing precise Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities with minimum radar visibility.
The SC is a desktop filament winder, ideal for R&D, lab, or educational use. Compact and accurate, the SC was developed specifically for the school and workplace laboratory.
EFG Engineering manufactures and develops high quality products that meet international standards by using the latest technology, especially in laser cutting, bending and welding.
The SOLIDnet™ products form part of the SOLIDGaurd range of security appliances and provide for secure communication of Virtual Private Networks (VPN) over public network infrastructures using IPsec.
Will-Burt offers a broad selection of telescopic masts and portable towers to elevate communications antenna payloads, each one designed to fulfill specific weight, height and transportability requirements.
BEAMIT Group specializes in 3D printing aeronautical components.
Light weight, compact in pocket size, it can be carried easily. With hot tracking, these animals can be tracked during hunting.
Just like suspension systems, Menatek can provide its customers with complete track shoe assemblies. Menatek is capable of manufacturing both metal and rubber components of track shoe assemblies.
Self-lubricating bearings under the designation “NAZ” are all-terrain products engineered specifically to show constant ultra-high performance under heavy dynamic and static loads.
The WOM TM weapon orientation modules provides a level of performance previously unseen in the world of miniature 3DOF orientation systems.
The Terra Hexen Group was founded in 2016 and gathers the best engineers, experts, specialists, analysts and counselors operating in the broadly understood drone and anti-drone industry.
Artful Aeronautic Assemblies, LLC is a certified contract sewing company specializing in the manufacturing of textile products for the military, government, industrial, and comcommercial aerospace industries.
We get the best out of your unmanned systems!
We have a dedicated and highly experienced pool of avionics, aerospace engineers, mechatronics naval architects; marine engineers, experts in IT domain, mechanical engineering etc.
We are an Innovation and Technology Centre highly specialized in materials and in advanced manufacturing technologies, especially joining technologies and laser technologies applied to materials processing, robotics, and automation.
VALPRO SIA is one of the largest metal processing, companies in The Baltic States with specialization in the manufacturing of metal fuel cans, cylinders for fire extinguishers, and other systems, providing various metal treatment services....
Pacamor Kubar Bearings (PKB) is an industry leader in the manufacturing & development of precision and miniature ball bearings.
TBT is one of the leading thermal imaging camera makers in Korea. We were established as a normal CCTV company in 2002 and have turned to the thermal market since 2009.
Ranger Point Precision LLC is a performance parts manufacturer for Marlin, Henry, Rossi, and Winchester lever-action rifles.
Advance Die-casting Industry Co., Ltd. is an Aluminum/Zinc Die-casting and Gravity casting maker for automotive, electronics, industrial parts and many others. We have more than 19 years of experience and know-how from Thailand and Taiwan.
Manufacturing components & small assemblies for Aerospace and Space applications, AS9100 Rev D certified company.
Nümerik Makina Mühendislik Döküm San. ve Tic. Ltd. Şti: Defense and Aerospace Machining, EDM, Casting Model Manufacturing and Fixture, Gage Design Manufacturing.
Log in with Google