Germany set to order 600+ Skyranger air-defence systems
Germany plans to buy more than 600 Skyranger 30 short-range air-defence systems mounted on Boxer vehicles from Rheinmetall/KNDS, in a deal worth over €9bn, Handelsblatt reports.
The move follows rising concern over drone incursions in Europe; Defence Minister Boris Pistorius recently flagged a “several hundred” buy, beyond the 19 already ordered. Rheinmetall said it is preparing to ramp output to at least 200 units per year and, separately, will deliver Skyranger 35s to Ukraine under an EU-financed order.
The Skyranger will replace the retired Gepard as Germany’s primary very-short-range, mobile counter-drone capability.
Germany picks IAI/ELTA lighGermany picks IAI/ELTA light vehicles for Special Forcest vehicles for Special Forces
FTS (FFG + IAI/ELTA JV) won a seven-year deal to supply Germany’s SOF with IAI/ELTA-based light vehicles. The framework covers 150 EGF combat and 50 UstgFzg support vehicles, an initial 40 + 14 order is worth €30m.
The air-transportable EGF, based on the ZD platform, seats three and supports a powered mount for 12.7 mm/MG6/AGL, the two-seat support variant is unarmed.
FTS beat Defenture and ACS for the contract.
Germany okays €7bn for 14 Bundeswehr projects Budget Committee approvals include €3.75bn for 20 Eurofighter Tranche 5 jets (plus simulators/EW upgrades), new BOXER medical/driving vehicles, field fuel depots, D-LBO at GÜZ, Floating Rapid Bridge 2, shortwave radios, special forces boats, ship C2 upgrades, mine-hunting sonars, and armour-piercing munitions for aircraft and naval guns. More packages are due later this year.
Germany teams with TYTAN on AI drone-defence demonstrator
BAAINBw has signed an agreement with Munich-based TYTAN Technologies to develop a counter-UAS demonstrator protecting Bundeswehr sites from medium-size, medium-range drones.
Led by the Bundeswehr Innovation Lab in Erding, the project will fuse sensors, effectors and C4 systems, integrating TYTAN’s AI-guided interceptor drones-already trialled operationally-to autonomously detect and defeat incoming UAS.
A system demonstration is planned in the coming months, aiming to close a cost-effective capability gap in base protection.
Germany selects SPY-6 radar for new F127 frigates
Germany will equip eight F127 frigates with Raytheon’s SPY-6(V)1 radar under a proposed U.S. Foreign Military Sales deal with the U.S. Navy, becoming the system’s first international user.
The four-faced array (37 radar modular assemblies per face) provides 360° air and missile-defence coverage and will be integrated with the ships’ design, with Raytheon supplying associated support and services.
Raytheon says SPY-6-now fielded across seven U.S. ship classes-is its most advanced and most tested maritime radar.
Rheinmetall expands in Hungary with €1.4m boost
Rheinmetall will invest €1.4m (via HIPA support) to grow its Zalaegerszeg site, adding 80 engineering jobs.
The upgrade expands development/testing for Lynx KF41 and Panther KF51, advancing Hungary’s Zrínyi 2026 defence modernization goals.
Sikorsky unveils Nomad VTOL drone family
Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin) launched Nomad, a scalable VTOL UAV line from Group 3 drones to near Black Hawk–size platforms, using a rotor-blown wing for runway-independent ops and MATRIX autonomy.
Smaller variants use hybrid-electric, larger one’s conventional engines. The Nomad 50 has flown, the Nomad 100 begins flight tests soon for ISR, light strike, and logistics missions.
Bundeswehr to add 40,000 beds by 2031
Germany will deliver 270 modular company buildings by 2031 to create 40,000 recruit beds, adapting the overseas G-CAP model for rapid, standardized construction starting 2027. A new law (BwPBBG) cuts red tape (single-lot awards, direct contracts to €1m).
2024 spend rose 20% to €1.6bn, with 160 accommodation projects underway; Berlin will also review 300+ former barracks for reactivation.
Helsing to buy Blue Ocean, boost autonomous undersea defence
European defence-tech firm Helsing will acquire Australia’s Blue Ocean to fuse its AI with Blue Ocean’s AUV hardware and manufacturing, accelerating mass production of autonomous undersea ISR/ASW platforms.
Blue Ocean’s UK and Australia sites will be retained, the deal (via an Australian Scheme of Arrangement) awaits court and government approval.