Diehl Defence and Elbit Systems Forge Euro-GATR Partnership
Diehl Defence and Elbit Systems have signed a teaming agreement in March to enhance their collaboration on the Euro-GATR (Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket), a 70 mm guided missile designed for the German Armed Forces’ Light Combat Helicopter (LKH). Diehl Defence will serve as the general contractor for Euro-GATR in Germany.
The Euro-GATR missile is known for its cost-effectiveness, precision, and proven performance, with a range of up to 10 km. It features laser guidance with “lock-on after launch” and “lock-on before launch” capabilities, making it fast, versatile, and safe. Its multi-purpose warhead is effective against buildings and lightly armoured vehicles.
The missile is easily integrated into the LKH, either through a Smart Rocket Launcher (SRL) or with existing certified launchers and minimal adjustments. Diehl Defence ensures industrial value creation, expertise development, and long-term maintenance support for the missile in Germany.
This new agreement builds on the successful partnership between Diehl Defence and Elbit Systems, previously demonstrated in rocket artillery (EuroPULS), offering the Bundeswehr a reliable, operationally proven weapon for enhanced operational readiness.
Bundeswehr Trials Drones from AMDC, Rafael & IAI
The Bundeswehr has officially announced plans to procure loitering munitions to strengthen its operational readiness. Instead of selecting a single supplier, Germany will acquire small quantities from multiple manufacturers to test and identify the most effective systems.
These semi-autonomous drones can loiter in the air, search for targets, and engage only with human authorization. Considered consumables, they are intended for large-scale acquisition and storage.
General Carsten Breuer, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, emphasized the importance of unmanned systems in modern warfare: “Their use is vital for our soldiers’ survival. They increase effectiveness and can be decisive in battle.”
The Bundeswehr had previously evaluated systems from Israeli firms Rafael, IAI, and UVision via AMDC GmbH, though testing is still pending. German-made systems also remain a strong contender, with local firms having supplied drones to Ukraine.
The move marks a shift in German defence procurement, aiming for faster, more user-influenced decision-making. The Bundeswehr sees this as a critical first step toward enhancing its drone warfare capabilities.
Germany Picks Beechcraft, L3Harris for Spy Plane
The German Armed Forces are set to enhance their special forces’ intelligence capabilities with the addition of a dedicated reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft. According to military sources, the King Air 350 has been selected for this role, with configurations like the U.S. Air Force’s MC-12W Liberty.
Originally developed by Beechcraft and outfitted with advanced ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems by L-3 Communications, the MC-12W is used by the U.S. for low- to medium-altitude reconnaissance missions. It features EO/IR sensors, satellite and line-of-sight communications, and supports a four-person crew. Each unit reportedly costs around $17 million.
While the U.S. model offers immediate operational capability, German firms like Rohde & Schwarz are developing homegrown ISR payloads for long-term sovereignty and customization. However, integration challenges mean the domestic solution would take longer to deploy.
The project remains in early planning stages, but confirmation of the King Air 350 as the base platform signals a push to quickly close the ISR gap within Germany’s armed forces.
Rohde & Schwarz Upgrades MILTON Drones with SIGINT Payloads
Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) has partnered with MILTON to integrate advanced signals intelligence (SIGINT) technologies into MILTON drones, improving the ability of security and special forces to detect and monitor threats. This collaboration, announced at SOFIN in Camp de Souge, France, aims to revolutionize surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Since 2021, R&S has contributed its electromagnetic surveillance expertise to MILTON’s drones, enabling them to detect and analyse signals from tactical communications and electronic threats, such as clandestine radio and enemy drone transmissions. Key equipment includes the UMS 400 Universal Monitoring System and the ADD507 direction-finding antenna, which provide comprehensive monitoring from 8 kHz to 8 GHz, with extended capabilities up to 20 GHz.
The SIGINT-equipped drones can pinpoint suspicious communications in urban environments and detect jamming or electronic warfare devices, providing critical data for targeted interventions. This partnership offers a more flexible, discreet, and cost-effective solution for reconnaissance, reducing the reliance on traditional surveillance aircraft.
MILTON and R&S continue to push the boundaries of autonomous airborne systems, enhancing security and operational safety for forces on the ground.
Beagle Systems Raises €5M for Drone Expansion
Hamburg-based drone startup Beagle Systems has raised €5 million in a Seed funding round, co-led by early-stage investors focused on real asset technologies. The company is transforming how geospatial data is collected by using a fleet of long-range drones to deliver on-demand, high-precision geodata for industries like energy and utilities.
Beagle’s platform offers a faster, safer, and more cost-effective alternative to traditional inspection methods, already aiding in pipeline leak detection and power grid surveying. With regulatory approvals for 80% of EU airspace and operations across 60% of Germany, the startup is now set to scale across Europe, enter new sectors, and build next-gen drones for urban use.
Investors see Beagle as a key player in the digitization of infrastructure, enabling more sustainable and data-driven decision-making.
Wider European Deals as Re-Arming Steps up
In response to escalating tensions and fears of a potential large-scale war, European nations have collectively spent more than £22.3 billion on defence contracts in 2025. This surge in military investment comes as Russia ramps up military production and NATO officials warn of possible conflict within five years.
The UK leads with over £12 billion in contracts, including £9 billion to Rolls-Royce for nuclear submarine reactors and £1.6 billion each to Thales and Babcock for missiles and military equipment. France committed £1.25 billion to modernise its air base and expand its Rafale jet fleet. Germany invested £2.5 billion in Rheinmetall platoon systems and deployed 5,000 troops to Lithuania—the country’s first permanent foreign deployment since WWII.
Other major deals include:
Netherlands: £1.1 billion for Skyranger air defence systems.
Denmark: £356 million for AMVs and anti-ship missiles.
Poland: £2.85 billion for air defence and combat vehicles.
Greece: A planned £21 billion defence overhaul through 2036, featuring the “Achilles’ Shield” anti-missile system.
Romania: £730 million for Patriot systems.
Finland, Latvia, Bulgaria: Hundreds of millions for missiles and ammunition.
These contracts reflect Europe’s urgent push to strengthen borders, modernise arsenals, and prepare for a more uncertain and dangerous global landscape.
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