Germany has unveiled plans to purchase 12,000 one-way attack drones to equip a newly established mechanized brigade deployed in Lithuania, marking one of the country’s largest drone procurement programs to date. The initiative underscores Berlin’s growing emphasis on modernizing its military capabilities and strengthening NATO’s eastern defenses.
The German Ministry of Defense has allocated 150 million euros ($173 million) for the project, with three domestic defense companies — Helsing, Stark, and Rheinmetall — shortlisted as suppliers. According to reports, Helsing and Stark have already begun testing their systems, while Rheinmetall is preparing to join the program as deliveries ramp up through 2025.
A Financial Times report revealed that each participating firm could receive up to 300 million euros ($346 million) under a multi-phase procurement plan covering an initial batch of 10,000 drones. Helsing is expected to supply roughly half of the total order with its HX-2 drone, while Stark will deliver a slight majority of the remainder through its Virtus model. Rheinmetall’s FV-104, a higher-cost variant, will account for the premium end of the contract.
The semi-autonomous drones are designed for precision strike missions, featuring an operational range of around 100 kilometers (62 miles). Integrated artificial intelligence systems will assist in navigation and target identification, while ensuring human operators retain final control over engagement decisions. All three firms have reportedly expanded production capacity in recent months to meet the program’s ambitious timelines, positioning Germany as a key player in the European defense drone sector.
