Bundeswehr to Deploy Six Units With Kamikaze Drones by 2029

The German army plans to deploy at least six units armed with new medium-range kamikaze drones by 2029.

Bundeswehr Major General Christian Freuding stated this, ntv reported.

According to him, each of the new units will be the size of a company.

“We have begun testing in a fair and competitive environment and aim to bring the first medium-range battery (unit) into service by 2027, with five more to follow by 2029,” Freuding shared.

He added that the Bundeswehr is currently testing kamikaze drones, also known as loitering munitions.

The German general also mentioned that by 2029, a battery — equivalent to a company of 60 to 150 soldiers — equipped with new long-range weapons systems (Ground Based Deep Precision Strike) will be created.

Among the planned innovations, he also mentioned projects to protect key facilities and systems capable of detecting and defending against drone attacks nationwide.

Regarding operational readiness and the threat posed by Russia, the command has commissioned a study to assess the capabilities of the German armed forces and their adversaries through 2029.

Germany should draw further conclusions from this study for its defense planning, Freuding said.

In addition, the country has allocated about €490 million for the development and procurement of new DefendAir missiles designed to counter drones.

Serial production is expected to begin in 2029, with the first deliveries to the Bundeswehr possible in 2030.

Amid the development of new military systems, the German naval battalion has equipped itself with FPV 3D-printed strike drones. Such UAVs are widely used by Ukrainian defense forces and Russian troops, and have changed the nature of modern warfare.