Germany will invest €10 billion in expanding its military drone fleet over the coming years, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced. The plan calls for acquiring drones of “all types and altitudes,” including both defensive and attack models, and positions Germany as a leading player in the European Union’s broader effort to boost its military capabilities.
Pistorius made the announcement on the sidelines of the NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, where he also pledged that Germany would make a “visible contribution” to EU air defense. As part of that contribution, the country will deploy two Eurofighter jets to Malbork, Poland, from December to March.
The investment comes amid EU discussions about establishing a “drone wall”—a network of air‑defence and surveillance systems intended to counter alleged Russian threats. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has promoted the concept, and the Commission is expected to unveil a roadmap for the plan soon. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has condemned the idea, arguing that “building walls is always bad, as history shows.”
Recent sightings of drones over critical German infrastructure, including Munich Airport, have led to cancelled and delayed flights. Some officials have suggested a link to Russia, though the Kremlin denies any involvement. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently addressed concerns about “Russian drones” in Europe, stating that Russia has no targets on the continent and that the drone debate is being used to stoke tensions and justify increased military spending.
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