Production of more than 5,000 long-range strike drones for Ukraine has begun near Munich.
Manufacturing is being carried out by a joint venture between the German-American company Auterion and the Ukrainian developer Airlogix, the Handelsblatt newspaper reports.
The first units have already been produced, and the partners plan to fulfil the German government’s order in full by mid-2027. Sources in the defence industry estimate the contract’s value at around €300 million.
The joint venture, established only in February this year, is counting on new orders and long-term co-operation. In addition to the site near Munich, drone assembly is also being rolled out at another plant in eastern Germany. Specialists are assembling two UAV models: a medium-range version and a long-range one, with an operational radius of up to 1,500 kilometres.
Within this partnership, Airlogix supplies the airframes and mechanical components, while Auterion is responsible for the software and operating system. The drones are single-use and carry explosives to strike enemy targets. Artificial intelligence in the software helps the aircraft reach their targets even amid active enemy electronic warfare.
Auterion chief Lorenz Meier said Germany has gained a production line capable of turning out precise and affordable weapons in large volumes. He added that the first tested systems will be delivered to Ukraine as early as this year.