Germany’s UAS investment and upgrade

German Special Forces to get 14 Quantum Systems Vector reconnaissance drones

In November 2022, the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) published the project under the name “Framework contract for the procurement of remotely piloted reconnaissance systems, airborne, short-range” – “FALKE” for short. The complex performance specifications of the competitive award procedure placed numerous requirements on the future supplier of unmanned systems. Quantum Systems successfully submitted a bid and was able to conclude the framework agreement with the BAAINBw on September 26, 2023.

The delivery of the first 14 systems is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024. In the future, the Bundeswehr will thus have a system for precise reconnaissance that can be deployed quickly and independently.

Germany invests €290M in Luna NG reconnaissance drone systems

The Bundeswehr (German army) is expected to receive twelve operational systems and one training system between 2025 and 2028. According to the Federal Ministry of Defense (BMVg), the total contract value is approximately €290.9 million, of which €52.3 million has already been paid.

Each LUNA NG/Bw system comprises five unmanned aerial vehicles, two ground control stations equipped with communication tools housed in secure functional containers, separate telemetry antennas, as well as workshop equipment, and spare parts also stored in secure containers. The system is completed by two launch and landing facilities. In addition to the standard catapult launch ramp, Rheinmetall also offers an optional vertical take-off capability.

The Bundeswehr had previously signed contracts in 2017 and 2019 for the acquisition of HUSAR (“High-Efficiency Unmanned Systems for Medium-Range Imaging Reconnaissance”) systems to replace the Small Aerial Target System (KZO) with the original manufacturer, EMT. Following EMT’s bankruptcy and the continuation of operations by Rheinmetall Technical Publications (RTP), an additional financial requirement of approximately €84 million was identified. This led to the need for a new presentation to the Budget Committee.