German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv with representatives of German defense companies. During the visit, Ukraine and Germany are to finalize an agreement on the joint production of various types of drones. One of the key areas is interceptors to combat Russian jet UAVs.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv with representatives of German defense companies. During the visit, Ukraine and Germany are to finalize an agreement on the joint production of various types of drones. One of the key areas is interceptors to combat Russian jet UAVs.
Reuters reports this.
Merz was accompanied to Ukraine by German Minister of Economics and Energy Katharina Reiche, as well as a business delegation. It included representatives of Siemens Energy, radar manufacturer Hensoldt, defense company Diehl Defence, drone manufacturer Quantum Systems, and other companies.
In addition, Merz is to announce a new aid package for Ukraine: €1 billion in military support and another €350 million for the repair and restoration of energy infrastructure after Russian attacks.
During the visit, the parties are expected to finalize agreements on the joint production of several types of drones, but special emphasis is placed on the rapid scaling of interceptor drones capable of combating high-speed jet UAVs.
Germany and Ukraine already have a joint project in this direction. In April, German Quantum Systems and Ukrainian WIY Drones created the Quantum WIY Industries enterprise, which is to scale up the production of interceptor drones and other technologies for air defense. Quantum Systems previously reported on investments in STRILA interceptors.
STRILA is designed, in particular, to combat Shahed and other fast maneuvering air targets. According to the manufacturer, the interceptor can reach speeds of over 350 km/h and operate at altitudes of up to 6,000 m.
Previously, dev.ua wrote that cooperation between Ukraine and Germany also includes the joint development and production of drones with a range of over 1,500 km, which Ukraine will be able to use to strike targets deep inside Russia.
