Germany funds 50,000 attack drones for Ukraine

Germany is financing the purchase of 50,000 attack drones for Ukraine in a deal valued at approximately 90 million euros, according to reports. The order, one of the largest known drone purchases for Kyiv by a Western government, involves Shrike first-person-view drones manufactured by Ukrainian company SkyFall and equipped with autonomous targeting software from U.S. firm Auterion.

Auterion CEO Lorenz Meier confirmed the contract's value and stated it was funded by a European country. He said a portion of the drones has already been delivered to Ukraine, with the remainder expected by the end of 2026. SkyFall acknowledged Germany's involvement in the deal but declined to provide further details. Defense ministries in both Berlin and Kyiv have declined to comment, citing operational security.

The drones are designed to autonomously track and engage moving targets in the final phase of flight. This delivery is part of broader Western support for Ukraine's drone capabilities. Meier noted that Auterion is providing software for at least 100,000 drones destined for Ukraine this year, funded by several Western governments. This includes a separate 50 million U.S. Pentagon contract...