Germany to supply Ukraine with AI-powered UAVs for enhanced warfare capabilities

Germany is set to provide Ukraine with advanced attack drones equipped with artificial intelligence, developed by the Helsing company.

These drones, referred to as "mini-Tauruses," are designed to withstand electronic warfare systems and represent a new generation of weaponry in the ongoing conflict, Caliber.Az reports citing German media.

Germany plans to deliver several hundred of these cutting-edge UAVs to Ukraine every month, with a total of 4,000 drones set to be sent. The new drones have a range that is four times greater than the conventional UAVs currently in use by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They are also capable of carrying explosives sufficient to destroy heavily armoured targets, such as tanks or fortified positions.

One of the key features of these AI-powered drones is their advanced autonomous capabilities. The drones are able to independently assess their location, enabling operators to maintain course even in challenging weather conditions. In combat scenarios, once a target is identified and marked by the operator, the drone can autonomously fly toward and strike the target, even if communication with the operator is lost or disrupted.

This new addition to Ukraine's military arsenal is expected to significantly enhance the country’s ability to conduct precision strikes, while minimizing the risks posed by electronic countermeasures and communication failures.

In 2024, the Ukrainian Ministry for Strategic Industries signed a memorandum with Helsing GmbH, a German company specializing in software development and AI integration in defence technologies. This cooperation aims to enhance Ukrainian defence technologies by integrating AI into drones, particularly Ukrainian-made UAVs. This is probably the only public mention of ministry- or state-owned enterprises introducing AI technology in their production.

By Vafa Guliyeva