German Armed Forces - Ministry of Defense wants more small drones
A project group at the Defense Ministry recommends the German military to widely use commercially available small drones in the troops. "The use of small and micro drones should be made possible in the future in the Bundeswehr," a spokesperson of the ministry told the German Press Agency in Berlin in response to an inquiry. Previously, the chairs of the Defense Committee had been briefed on the results of the so-called Task Force Drone in a closed session on Thursday.
To ensure faster procurement for training and demonstration purposes, the ministry has also initiated the purchase of market-available solutions. "However, only access to designated products is permitted that meet the required security standards," the spokesperson explained.
Military experts lament the Bundeswehr's lacking capabilities
For years, it has been criticized that the Bundeswehr lacks sufficient experience in applying the new technology, especially in the use of cheap small drones - and does not have enough of them. Military observers observe how technology is changing warfare. In Ukraine, inexpensive drones, which can be purchased at building sites or over the mail order business, have become a military consumption good, often equipped with explosives and thus prepared for a lethal attack.
"The currently procured small and micro drones will not be equipped with weapons," the spokesperson said in response. The Bundeswehr, however, has a drone called Heron TP that is weapon-capable. The new and rocket-equipped reconnaissance drone of the Bundeswehr went into practical flight operation in the airspace over Northern Germany in May. However, it is significantly larger and more expensive.
Commanders should be able to procure faster and more themselves
The Task Force Drone had, according to the Defense Ministry, the mandate to "bundle, coordinate, and take concrete steps" for the more than 200 measures currently in existence in the Bundeswehr. In addition to accelerating and increasing the scope of procurement projects, the project group recommends a de-bureaucratization of the purchase of commercially available small and micro drones by commanders. These measures have already been initiated. The spokesperson said: "In the area of small and micro drones, the handling and defense can now be practiced and trained in responsibility of the respective commander with these commercially available drones."
Beware of large stockpiles: No large storage facilities should be created
Experts advise against developing in-house solutions and extensive storage facilities for drones, where devices are stored that will soon become obsolete. "Especially the small and micro drone technology stands out at the moment for its unusually short development cycles," the spokesperson said. The rapid technological evolution leads to the fact that the Bundeswehr, among other things, is examining whether software updates can be contractually incorporated and the hardware does not have to go through every change cycle.
The Task Force Drone suggested a range of protective measures for its own troops during its first deployment. The spokesperson explained: "Various technical means for disrupting enemy drones will also be acquired, as well as electronic targeting aids for effective drone countermeasures. The development of non-lethal anti-drone drones (for example, with nets) is being supported by the Bundeswehr."
- The recommendation from the project group at the Ministry of Defense encourages the German military to utilize widely available commercial small drones in their troops, such as those obtained from German markets.
- In response to the use of inexpensive drones equipped with explosives in Ukraine, the Bundeswehr clarified that the procured small and micro drones will not be weaponized.
- To speed up procurement and broaden the scope of drone use, the German military is initiating the purchase of commercially available solutions, ensuring compliance with required security standards.
- In light of the short development cycles of small and micro drone technology, the Bundeswehr is examining options for incorporating software updates to avoid creating large stockpiles of obsolete devices.
