Germany will soon start supplying Ukraine with large quantities of long-range AI-powered kamikaze drones, which are highly autonomous and resistant to GPS jamming and electronic warfare, according to media reports.
The German newspaper Bild reported this with reference to its sources, citing German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’ confirmation.
These are Helsing attack drones, which are equipped with artificial intelligence technologies that enhance their autonomy against enemy electronic warfare. The industry compares these drones to Taurus missiles, which German Chancellor Olaf Scholz refuses to provide to Ukraine.
These attack drones can strike independently, have a much longer range than typical Ukrainian kamikaze drones, and are more cost-effective than other models.
Helsing attack drone’s flight range is allegedly four times longer than that of typical Ukrainian kamikaze drones (however, the article does not specify which specific drones are used for comparison). At the same time, they are significantly cheaper than the US-made Switchblade and Russian Lancets.
Germany is likely preparing new military aid for Ukraine, which will include the supply of kamikaze drones. These aircraft have high autonomy from electronic warfare and can effectively hit targets at a long distance.
In total, the company has allegedly ordered 4000 of these drones for Ukraine. These drones are expected to begin arriving in batches of several hundred units per month beginning in December. According to reports, Ukraine’s troops are already testing and improving some prototypes in actual combat conditions.
The drone features advanced software that helps it “navigate” the terrain using many markers and fly to the target even in difficult weather conditions or “scorched earth” and under the influence of electronic warfare.
The drone is designed to resist electronic warfare, and once the target is identified and confirmed by the operator, it can strike independently even in the event of a loss of communication.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius noted that he was “very pleased that the delivery of these AI-equipped drones is already underway” and that Ukraine would be able to use them against important enemy targets, such as command posts.
Helsing and the Ukrainian Ministry of Industry and Trade signed a memorandum of cooperation on February 24, 2024.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has recently reiterated his decision not to provide Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles.
In turn, the opposition CDU party leader, Friedrich Merz, has expressed support for providing Taurus to the Ukrainian forces and emphasized that the supply of long-range missiles will not make Germany a party to the war.
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