Breaking News: Germany Modernizes Military Arsenal with Mass Procurement of Loitering Munitions.

On April 17, 2025, the German Ministry of Defense announced a transformative decision in its efforts to modernize the Bundeswehr (German Army): the large-scale procurement of loitering munitions from two domestic suppliers. This initiative not only marks a technological leap for the German military but also represents a strategic shift in how new weapon systems are adopted and integrated into operational use. Rather than pursuing the traditional approach of incremental trials with small batches, the Bundeswehr will now deploy a significant number of loitering munitions directly to frontline units for immediate testing and tactical integration. Feedback from these operational environments will guide future procurement decisions, potentially expanding the program or steering it toward alternative systems.
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A Rheinmetall loitering munition developed in partnership with UVision on display. As part of Germany’s push to modernize the Bundeswehr, loitering munitions like these are being considered for large-scale deployment to enhance battlefield precision and tactical flexibility. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

This accelerated deployment underscores the Bundeswehr's (German Army) recognition of loitering munitions as a pivotal capability in modern warfare. General Carsten Breuer, the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, highlighted their strategic value, calling drones and loitering munitions a “game changer” that can enhance combat effectiveness, survivability, and decision-making speed on the battlefield.

For readers less familiar with the concept, loitering munitions—often referred to as “kamikaze drones”—are a hybrid between unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and guided missiles. These systems are launched into the air and can loiter, or remain airborne, over a target area for extended periods. They carry onboard sensors to search for and identify targets. Once a target is confirmed, the munition dives onto it and detonates, destroying both itself and the objective. Unlike reusable drones, loitering munitions are designed for one-time use, but their combination of surveillance and strike capabilities in a single platform makes them highly cost-effective and efficient for time-sensitive targets.

What further distinguishes loitering munitions from drones is their legal classification. In Germany, these systems are designated as “munitions” rather than “aircraft,” a status that significantly reduces regulatory barriers. As a result, they can be produced and fielded more swiftly and economically, without the extensive flight safety and airworthiness requirements associated with drones. This distinction is particularly relevant in NATO operations, where fast deployment and flexibility are essential in dynamic security environments.

Germany’s defense industry has been preparing for this moment, with several key players actively developing loitering munitions for both domestic use and export. Rheinmetall, one of the most prominent German defense contractors, collaborates with Israel’s UVision to manufacture and market the HERO series of loitering munitions in Europe. The HERO-30, optimized for small unit operations, and the HERO-120, which can strike heavier targets, offer versatile options depending on mission requirements.

Diehl Defence, another major German defense firm, has developed the “Libelle” loitering munition, aimed at providing special forces and infantry with a lightweight, precision strike capability. Designed for rapid deployment in complex environments, Libelle combines portability, low acoustic signature, and autonomous target engagement features.

Meanwhile, MBDA Deutschland, known for its missile systems, is working in partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to promote the HAROP loitering munition. HAROP offers longer endurance and a heavier warhead, making it suitable for strategic targets and electronic warfare suppression.

The Bundeswehr’s current plan does not publicly specify which models will be deployed during the initial testing phase, but the presence of these advanced domestic systems ensures that Germany is not dependent on foreign suppliers. Moreover, the public discourse surrounding this procurement has fueled proposals for a “drone wall” spanning NATO’s eastern flank—an integrated defense network of loitering munitions and surveillance drones to deter potential aggressors through persistent aerial presence and rapid-strike capabilities.

Germany’s interest in loitering munitions is also heavily informed by their proven success in recent conflicts. During the ongoing war in Ukraine, loitering munitions such as the U.S.-supplied Switchblade and Turkish-made Kargu drones have demonstrated exceptional effectiveness in disrupting armored vehicle movements, command posts, and air defense systems. The precision, mobility, and low cost of these weapons have allowed Ukrainian forces to level the playing field against a more conventionally powerful adversary. Similarly, in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan’s use of Israeli-made Harop and Orbiter loitering munitions enabled rapid strikes against Armenian defensive positions and armor, contributing to its tactical superiority. These case studies have underscored the operational value of loitering munitions and have clearly influenced Germany’s decision to invest in this technology. The Bundeswehr’s move aligns with a broader global trend of embracing smart, agile, and autonomous weapon systems that redefine battlefield dynamics.

As geopolitical tensions intensify in Europe and beyond, Germany's bold move to embrace loitering munitions signals a new era in defense readiness. By leveraging its own industrial base and shifting toward agile military adaptation, the Bundeswehr is positioning itself as a forward-leaning force within NATO, capable of responding swiftly and effectively to emerging threats. This announcement is more than a procurement decision—it is a message of technological leadership and strategic clarity in a time of global uncertainty.