Germany to get weaponized drones for the first time

Germany will get weaponized drones for the first time after years of debate, parliamentary sources told AFP, as the EU giant, shaken by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, moves to ramp up its defense capabilities.

Germany’s armed forces have until now only been allowed to deploy unarmed drones for reconnaissance purposes, leaving other allies to use weaponized unmanned combat aerial vehicles in the field.

Non-weaponized drones were approved by parliament in 2018, but a plan to equip them with arms was put on ice after strong opposition from the Social Democrats, then junior partners in former chancellor Angela Merkel‘s coalition.