Media: Germany set to approve €2.9 billion in military procurement

German lawmakers are poised to approve €2.9 billion in military procurement contracts, encompassing drones, rifles, missiles, and other equipment, with the majority of orders going to domestic manufacturers. The approval is expected at a closed-door parliamentary session next week.

The Ministry of Defence requested the funding, including €765 million for up to 250,000 G95 assault rifles from Heckler & Koch. Other planned purchases include 250,000 laser-light targeting modules from Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics for €490 million, 1,744 military off-road vehicles from Mercedes-Benz for €379 million, and 191,000 military headsets from a consortium of Rheinmetall Electronics, 3M Deutschland, and CeoTronics AG for €346 million, Bloomberg writes. 

The plan also covers 750 tactical reconnaissance drones from Munich-based startup Quantum Systems for €85 million and a €68 million contract to develop an artificial intelligence platform to monitor NATO’s eastern flank, including Lithuania, where Germany is establishing a permanent battle tank brigade.

The AI project will be split between two consortia: Airbus Defence & Space with Quantum Systems, and German startups Helsing and Arx Robotics, with a larger contract planned later.

Norwegian defense firm Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS is among the few foreign suppliers included, providing €445 million worth of missiles for Germany’s fleet of F-35 fighter jets, following a previous contract signed in June.

By Sabina Mammadli