(In the first sentence of the second to last paragraph it must say “are intended”.)
KOBLENZ/DÜSSELDORF/NEUSS (dpa-AFX) – Germany’s largest arms company Rheinmetall supplies the Bundeswehr In the future, drones will circle over the target area as “loitering ammunition” and then independently pounce on a target. The Armed Forces Procurement Office in Koblenz has signed a corresponding order for 300 million euros, the weapons manufacturer in Düsseldorf said. How many drones there are is secret. Delivery is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027. The missiles are manufactured in Neuss.
The FV-014 model was ordered within a framework agreement which, according to informed circles, has a volume of one billion euros. In total there are a five-digit number of drones. Competitors Stark and Helsing have similar framework agreements and have already received orders, while Rheinmetall is the laggard. The tank builder and ammunition manufacturer first had to redevelop the drone and bring it onto the market. The drones are loaded with explosives and are also used for reconnaissance purposes.
70 minutes flight time and 100 kilometers range
Rheinmetall boss Armin Papperger was satisfied. “With the FV-014, the Bundeswehr will receive another weapon system with which it can protect its own forces and combat critical targets quickly, in a controlled and effective manner,” said the manager. Rheinmetall will soon be producing the system on an industrial scale in large quantities.
According to the information, the drones have a range of up to 100 kilometers and their warhead, including the ignition device, weighs around four kilos. The drone can stay in the air and observe targets for up to 70 minutes. The product is produced entirely in the EU.
The Bundeswehr is positive about the Loitering ammunition because it can react quickly with this type of weapon and combat enemy targets precisely. The range is also higher than with artillery shells.
Software should be continuously developed
Strictly speaking, they are not drones at all, but rather ammunition, as these weapon systems are intended for one-time use. They are shot up from a container using an ignition device, unfold in the air and continue to fly. There are no plans to land and use it again: If the time is up and no target is found, it will be allowed to crash in a controlled manner, according to a Rheinmetall spokesman.
What is important with this type of weapon is the software, which must always be continuously developed. The contracts with drone suppliers contain innovation clauses, according to the Bundeswehr. These clauses require manufacturers to keep systems up to date. “Without such a clause, the systems purchased today could be ineffective in a few months because the potential adversary has already taken countermeasures.”/wdw/DP/jha
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