Germany’s military, the Bundeswehr, has about €108 billion ($129 billion) available this year — an unprecedented sum financed from the federal budget and special loan-backed funds. The cash is intended to reverse decades of cutbacks and rapidly modernize the armed forces amid concerns that Russia could be capable of attacking NATO territory as early as 2029, according to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
First-ever combat drones
For the first time the Bundeswehr is ordering several thousand combat drones. The shift follows Russia’s use of drones in Ukraine and a domestic reassessment of their role. The purchases — officially “loitering munitions” but commonly called kamikaze or suicide drones — include contracts for Berlin startup Stark Defence and Munich-based Helsing, each potentially receiving up to €300 million. Prototypes from established supplier Rheinmetall reportedly failed Bundeswehr tests. Some of the drones will equip the brigade deployed to Lithuania on NATO’s eastern flank.
Drone defense is also being expanded: systems will range from jammers to the Skyranger 30 anti-aircraft vehicle, intended to counter drone swarms. The Skyranger, made by Rheinmetall, will be central to the reconstituted army air-defense force but cannot be delivered until 2028. The navy is also pursuing newly developed laser weapons, with Rheinmetall and MBDA already testing a system now on the procurement list.
Helicopters, fighter jets and maritime patrol aircraft
Large-ticket purchases include 35 Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters for just under €10 billion, covering aircraft, weapons and spares. The F-35s will inherit the nuclear strike-sharing role from retiring Tornado jets and become part of NATO’s nuclear deterrent. Germany is buying 60 Boeing CH-47 Chinook heavy transport helicopters for about €7.3 billion, selected because there is no equivalent European platform. The navy has begun receiving P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from Boeing to improve wide-area surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities; these may contribute to NATO missions, including surveillance around Greenland.
AI project Uranos
Artificial intelligence is being embedded in modern systems through projects like “Uranos KI,” designed to assist the Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania by analyzing vast sensor data to improve detection — for example, of drones. Details are being kept secret for operational security.
Frigate F126: a costly setback
The F126 frigate program illustrates procurement risks. The Dutch shipyard Damen, the original main contractor, failed to complete the project; around €1.8 billion has been spent with no ships delivered. Naval Vessels Lürssen is set to take over and salvage the program, but because the navy urgently needs frigates, Germany plans to buy additional MEKO A-200 frigates from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems as a stopgap. Parliament approved an extra €7.8 billion last year for related needs.
New uniforms and personnel expansion
Parliament also approved funds for new uniforms and personal equipment intended for 460,000 soldiers, a figure that includes reservists and is aimed at planned expansion from the current 184,000 active-duty personnel. Critics questioned the scale of the purchase, but the ministry argues stockpiling uniforms now avoids shortages when recruitment increases.
This article was originally written in German.
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