(Adnkronos) – Germany is about to equip its army, the Bundeswehr, with ‘kamikaze drones’, weapons that are playing a crucial role in the Russian war in Ukraine. This was stated by a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence. “Two contracts have been signed” for the delivery of these drones loaded with explosives and designed to self-destruct upon hitting the target, Mitko Mueller said at a press conference, without naming the suppliers. According to German media, these would be two companies specializing in artificial intelligence for defense, Helsing and Stark, founded by German entrepreneurs and among the most important in the sector.
The German army, which is undergoing a rapid modernization drive, did not yet have these weapons, known to military experts as ‘loitering ammunition’. According to the spokesperson, the orders concern “quantities that will allow them to be tested in practice” to gain experience in their use, before they are finally incorporated into the Bundeswehr’s arsenal. “It is clear that it is the human being who decides whether or not to use weapons,” he added on the issue of the autonomy left to these high-tech machines.
In a pacifist Germany since the Nazi era, the use of armed drones and automated weapon systems for attack has long been controversial. It was only after the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the end of February 2022 that the situation changed. The Bundeswehr has several types of drones, including Israeli-made ‘Heron’ drones, used for reconnaissance and troop protection, according to its website.
