Preliminary purchase contracts worth over 4.3 billion euros are set to be made with German companies 'Helsing' and 'Stark Defence', according to documents from the Ministry of Finance presented to the Bundestag's Budget Committee, which were recently reviewed by Reuters. The committee is expected to approve the deals shortly, as reported initially by 'Spiegel'. These drones are described as being equipped with combat payloads, which are launched without a designated target and will fly over the operational area before being directed to a specific target by a soldier on the ground.

These new weapon systems, as outlined in the confidential documents, will be specifically allocated to the 45th armored brigade, which Germany is currently establishing in Lithuania. This brigade is considered a key contribution to strengthening NATO's eastern flank, and it is anticipated to achieve full combat readiness by the end of 2027. The introduction of these drones is expected to significantly bolster the brigade's combat capability and overall operational effectiveness, reinforcing NATO’s deterrent posture in Eastern Europe.

The acquisition will involve ordering two different types of drones, with the larger model likely being equipped for more extensive operational capabilities. This scale of investment underscores Germany's commitment to military enhancement in the region amidst ongoing security concerns in Eastern Europe and reflects broader NATO strategic initiatives aimed at deterring potential adversarial actions in the area.