Other procurements include cruise missiles for Germany’s F-35 fleet.  

Germany has approved several new procurement projects to bolster its reconnaissance and combat capabilities, a 3 December Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) announcement has revealed. 

One key project, dubbed “Uranus AI Battlefield”, involves developing a new AI-supported reconnaissance network for “monitoring large spaces” at the tactical level.   

The goal will be to collect and process data from uncrewed platforms on the ground and in the air for “information superiority” – a project not dissimilar to the UK's Digital Targeting Web. 

“This will be achieved by integrating commercially available individual components into a complete system. Initially, eight complete systems will be procured in parallel from two manufacturers”, the Bundeswehr said.  

The platform will only be made available to the 45th Armoured Brigade in Lithuania initially, before being rolled out to other brigades. Initial operating capability is expected between 2026 and 2028.  

Germany will also invest in redesigning the maritime surveillance radar of the German Navy’s NH-90 helicopters, while the budget committee of the Bundestag (Parliament) has also approved the purchase of “tooling and test equipment” for the Eurofighter aircraft radar. 

Additionally, the committee has approved the purchase of additional Joint Strike Missiles from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, which are used on the F-35A multirole fighter jet.  

Finally, a framework agreement for the manufacture and delivery of Aladin drones was approved. The number of drones to be produced and developed was not disclosed, but the Bundeswehr said it would be a high three-figure number.  

Aladin drones enable surveillance and reconnaissance of areas directly ahead of friendly forces, the Bundeswehr said, and are lightweight drones ready for rapid deployment.