„Wirtschaftsfaktor Rüstung“: Wettbewerb statt Hochglanzprospekt: Neue Wege bei der Rüstungsbeschaffung
Das Verteidigungsministerium wehrt sich auf der Handelsblatt-Tagung gegen Kritik, nur „Altmetall“ zu bestellen – und fragt, warum die Tarnkappentechnik nicht in Deutschland entwickelt wurde.
Düsseldorf - The German Armed Forces aim to swiftly decide on the procurement of drone defense systems and so-called anti-drone drones, according to Rüstungsstaatssekretär Jens Plötner. The process is currently underway at the Innovation Center in Erding, where a technology competition is being held between manufacturers of anti-drone systems, Plötner informed the Handelsblatt-Tagung "Wirtschaftsfaktor Rüstung" in Düsseldorf on Monday. Soon, the first procurement contracts for individual models will be seen, Plötner added.
The Ministry of Defense is taking new approaches due to increasingly shorter innovation cycles when procuring defense equipment. It defines "capability objectives" and then lets companies compete to develop solutions that are tested by the Bundeswehr. In the case of loitering munitions, also known as "kamikaze drones" – drones equipped with a bomb that explode upon impact with their target –, the bidders Helsing, Stark, and Rheinmetall have already received initial contracts for framework agreements.
The same approach is now being taken with drone defense systems for the army, Plötner explained. "And we have similar plans for the next year in the area of Collaborative Aircraft," he added. Collaborative Aircraft, also referred to as "Jagdbomberdrone," are unmanned aircraft that can operate together with manned fighter jets.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
