Germany is accelerating its military modernization as the Bundeswehr plans to establish six new units dedicated to strike drones and deploy next-generation long-range weapon systems by the end of the decade, according to a Der Spiegel report cited by RBC-Ukraine.
Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, Inspector of the German Army, said the Bundeswehr has already begun testing new loitering-munition systems – drone platforms capable of circling over the battlefield before diving onto a target, often referred to as “kamikaze drones.”
“We have started running tests,” Freuding said, noting that the first medium-range battery is expected to become operational in 2027, with five more to follow by 2029.
In parallel, Berlin aims to stand up a dedicated battery of long-range defensive systems by 2029. The unit, sized between a company and a small battalion (60 to 150 personnel), will be designed to detect and counter unmanned aerial threats across German territory.
Freuding said the battlefield of the future will be driven by data dominance and artificial intelligence, calling data itself “the ammunition of warfare.” He described future conflicts as competitions between “protective umbrellas,” where militaries must maintain their own defensive shield while breaking through the enemy’s.
Despite the ambitious modernization push, Freuding voiced dissatisfaction with Germany’s multi-billion-euro digital battlefield communications program. He said technical progress remains “insufficient” and is already affecting the combat readiness of several units.
Following the ongoing tests, German military leadership is expected to decide in December how digital communication tools will be integrated into weapons platforms and ground forces to better meet operational needs.
Last week Kyiv Post reported that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Berlin is intensifying work with Kyiv on long-range strike capabilities, signaling a shift toward deeper military support as Russia escalates attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Berlin with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Merz said Germany had been “intensively” coordinating with Ukraine for months on projects related to “long-range fire.”
Merz: “We are doing everything we can to equip the Ukrainian army”
Pressed by a reporter on why his government still refuses to send Taurus cruise missiles – a German-Swedish system he repeatedly advocated for while in opposition – Merz said Berlin had agreed with Kyiv to avoid publicly detailing such cooperation.
“We have agreed that we will no longer talk publicly about details,” he said, adding that “a certain degree of ambiguity towards the Russian side” was necessary when discussing capabilities.