Germany plans to acquire 8,300 military drone systems by 2029, trailing allies

[Regular Australian Army AeroVironment Wasp III UAV launch, flying and recovery demonstration]
James Rolevink/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Germany’s armed forces intend to procure about 8,300 drone systems by the end of the decade, far fewer than the numbers targeted by some NATO allies, as global investment in unmanned and autonomous weapons accelerates, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday.

A procurement list reviewed by the news outlet shows the order would include roughly 5,700 reconnaissance drones, 560 counter-drone units and 2,070 loitering munitions, excluding reserves. The plan also calls for adding long-range strike drones with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers.

The Defense Ministry is developing a national drone strategy, aiming to build production capacity that can be scaled quickly rather than stockpiling large quantities that could become obsolete. Officials say much of Germany’s expanded defense budget, set to nearly double to €162 billion ($190 billion) within four years, will still go toward conventional equipment, with drones playing a supplementary role.

Berlin’s caution contrasts with the rapid expansion seen in Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom, where drones have been central to modern military doctrine. Analysts warn Germany’s planned numbers would be depleted in days in a conflict like Ukraine’s, and industry leaders stress the need for mass production to match evolving battlefield demands.

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