»Drone Deal« | Berlin is demanding more arms orders from Kyiv

Quantum Systems now also builds interceptor drones. The German company is already making good money from the Ukraine war. Photo: dpa/Henning Kaiser Berlin. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is calling on Ukraine to place more orders with German defense companies. “At this point in time, we are not entirely satisfied with the (…) orders in Germany,” said the CDU politician on Tuesday in the “Ronzheimer” podcast. "And that's why we've now asked the Ukrainian government to check this and make sure it gets better."

Wadephul said in the conversation that Germany is now Ukraine's strongest supporter overall. "And it naturally has to be the case that the German defense industry benefits from it." He also said that to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his recent visit. Germany stands by Ukraine and supports it, but he also has to explain this to German taxpayers. The German defense industry must therefore also be involved in procurement.

The collaboration is already starting, said Wadephul. Germany has interesting start-ups, for example in the drone sector. At the same time, Germany is learning from the experiences of the Ukrainian armed forces in the war. From his point of view, this also increases Germany's security. "I believe it is also quite legitimate for us to formulate our interests," said the Foreign Minister.

Wadephul's demand is related to a planned German-Ukrainian "drone deal". According to Reuters, the agreement will include drones as well as the joint development of other military equipment. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj said at the beginning of September that negotiations on the text of the treaty were already underway. According to Reuters, a date for the signing has not yet been set.

The basis for the “Drone Deal” was already laid during German-Ukrainian government consultations in April. At that time, both sides agreed, among other things, on joint ventures for drone production as well as cooperation in air defense, missiles, data and research. Specific projects mentioned included the joint production of drones and various anti-aircraft systems.

German and Ukrainian companies have long since started joint projects. Quantum Systems and WIY Drones founded a company to develop and produce interceptor drones. Germany also recently financed Ukraine's procurement of 15,000 interceptor drones and 50,000 attack drones. Such orders should now increasingly be produced in Germany - and generate profits for local companies through government procurement. nd

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