Overview
- The Bundestag’s budget committee cleared a major contract for Rheinmetall to supply loitering munitions to the Bundeswehr.
- The weapons are slated for the German brigade in Lithuania to strengthen deterrence against Russia.
- Loitering munitions are uncrewed weapons that can wait over a target and then strike on command.
- The Defence Ministry says Rheinmetall’s optically equipped drones will complement systems from startups Helsing and Stark that lawmakers approved in February.
- Procurement will use staged buys that start with a fixed batch, add options after proof-of-concept tests, and include cancellation milestones if standards are not met.