Germany is moving ahead with a major modernization of its battlefield reconnaissance capabilities after the Budget Committee of the German Parliament reportedly approved 25 million euros ($29 million) to procure up to 747 Twister reconnaissance drones. The Twister, developed by Quantum Systems, was chosen as the successor to the long-serving Aladin close-range ISR drone, which has supported German forces for nearly two decades.
According to local defense outlet Hartpunkt, the initial order includes 147 drone systems and related services at a cost of around 16 million euros ($18.66 million). The remaining drones are covered under a wider framework agreement and may be ordered later for approximately 70 million euros ($82 million). Quantum Systems is expected to deliver up to 250 drones per year, with the ability to increase production output if necessary to meet military requirements.
Despite the procurement decision, operational deployment is not expected until 2027, as the Twister must first complete qualification and evaluation by the German Armed Forces. The acquisition follows a June 2024 tender issued by Germany’s arms procurement agency to replace the aging Aladin drones, built by EMT, due to obsolescence and growing capability gaps in modern battlefield environments.
The Twister UAV offers a significant leap in performance, featuring vertical takeoff and landing, a 3.8-kilogram (8.37-pound) MTOW, and the ability to operate in GPS-denied environments. The system boasts a reconnaissance range of 15 kilometers (9.32 miles), flight endurance of 90 minutes, and a maximum operating altitude of 3,800 meters (12,467 feet), making it suitable for multi-domain ISR operations across the German Army, Navy, and Air Force.
