Germany is planning to invest 536 million euros in the procurement of artificial intelligence (AI) drones intended for use by a brigade deployed in Lithuania. These drones will be sourced from German startups 'Helsing' and 'Stark Defence', and form part of a larger preliminary contract valued at 4.3 billion euros aimed at strengthening defense capabilities in response to potential threats. The acquisition highlights Germany's commitment to enhancing military technology amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.

The drones include the 'Virtus', developed by Stark Defence, which measures 1.8 meters and weighs 30 kilograms, capable of carrying a 5-kilogram payload. Another model, the 'HX-2', created by Helsing, is smaller at 1.13 meters and weighs 12 kilograms. The HX-2 has already been tested in Ukraine, and Helsing is integrating battlefield data to improve its systems further. Both drones are equipped with advanced cameras and infrared sensors to detect and monitor targets such as tanks, showcasing a shift towards more sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicle technology in military operations.

Despite the advanced capabilities of these AI drones, sources from the German Defense Ministry indicate that the final decision to engage targets will still rest with a human operator on the ground. The drones will transmit encrypted images or short video sequences to operators prior to any attack, ensuring that human oversight is maintained in military operations, which raises implications for the future of drone warfare and the balance between autonomy and human control in conflict scenarios.