Germany targets 8,300 drones by 2029, lagging NATO allies

Germany plans to acquire 8,300 drone systems by 2029, a figure far below what some NATO allies are aiming for, as global spending on unmanned and autonomous weapons continues to soar. Each system may include multiple drones, launchers, and flight controllers, according to ministry documents reviewed by Bloomberg News.

The push comes as drones have emerged as some of the deadliest weapons in the Russia-Ukraine war, forcing both sides to rethink armoured tactics. Ukraine produces millions of drones annually, from surveillance UAVs to deep-strike systems, while Russia launched over 700 long-range Shahed drones in a single day in July. Analysts estimate that drones account for roughly 70% of casualties on both sides.

Despite this, German officials are cautious about placing large orders, fearing rapid technological advances could quickly make systems obsolete. “The military doesn’t want to stockpile thousands of drones that may be outdated when needed,” said sources familiar with the discussions. Instead, Germany is developing a strategy to scale up production rapidly.

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has emphasised drones as central to future warfare. “Our aim must be to think ahead, to be ahead of the wave,” he said during a visit to a military innovation hub near Munich, citing electronic warfare and drone-heavy conflicts.

The planned arsenal includes roughly 5,700 unmanned aerial systems, 560 interceptors and counter-drone complexes, and 2,070 loitering munitions. Germany also plans to field deep-strike drones capable of near-supersonic flight over 1,000 kilometres. A ministry spokesperson said strategic documents on unmanned systems are being coordinated internally.

Startups like Helsing and Stark Defence are testing attack drones under government contracts, but industry leaders warn that scaling production without large orders is difficult. “The real innovation in drones is autonomy, but the real power comes from mass,” said Helsing co-CEO Gundbert Scherf.

Experts stress that acquisition is only part of the challenge. “The real issue isn’t simply the existence of a strategy, but whether we’ve clearly defined the battlefield effects we want to achieve,” said Franz-Stefan Gady of the Centre for a New American Security. Without clear objectives, even a sizable drone fleet may fail to deliver strategic impact.

By Tamilla Hasanova