Rüstungsfirma Stark Defence: Kamikaze-Drohnen für Bundeswehr: Lieferung soll bald starten

Stark Defence, a defense company based in Berlin, is set to commence deliveries of combat drones to the Bundeswehr, according to Josef Kranawetvogl, the company's Senior Vice President. The order, valued at 275 million euros, is part of a larger 2.9 billion euro contract awarded to Stark Defence. The Bundesgrants have already approved a billion euros of this amount.

The drones in question are known as "loitering munition," or kamikaze drones, capable of remaining airborne for up to 75 minutes and traveling up to 130 kilometers before striking and exploding. If no enemy is detected, the drone is programmed to crash and explode harmlessly. The Virtus drone model weighs up to 33 kilograms and utilizes small propellers on each of its four wings for lift and flight.

Stark Defence, founded in 2024, employs 750 people and has production facilities in Berlin, Britain, Sweden, and Greece. The company's drones are also in use in Ukraine, with two additional production sites in Kiev. Kranawetvogl sees the drones as a supplement, not a replacement, for heavy equipment like tanks and artillery. They could also help address the shortage of personnel in Western armies.

The Virtus drone is equipped with two cameras and can be connected to reconnaissance drones to identify targets. The price per drone is reportedly under 100,000 euros, significantly cheaper than the multi-million dollar cost of a tank. Meanwhile, the Russian side is developing anti-tank drones with "cage" protection to minimize damage from incoming drones.

Kranawetvogl believes that despite the cage, vulnerabilities can be exploited and drones can still reach their targets. Even if a drone fails to penetrate the cage, the presence of multiple drones increases the likelihood of success. The first delivery of the drones is slated for delivery to a German brigade stationed in Lithuania, where the Bundeswehr is conducting a NATO exercise.

At these exercises, the drones will not carry explosives and can land safely using their propellers.