BERLIN

Germany's Defense Ministry plans to acquire thousands of AI-enabled strike drones for approximately €536 million ($639 million), local media reported on Wednesday.

According to Der Spiegel magazine, the procurement involves two German startups, Helsing and Stark Defence. The Defense Ministry has prepared the procurement package and is seeking approval from the German parliament's budget committee.

The order marks the first planned deployment of explosive-armed drones by the German military. The systems would equip Germany's 45th Armored Brigade, currently stationed in Lithuania as part of NATO's eastern flank deterrence.

The contract covers two distinct drone models with different operational profiles, according to the report. The Virtus, manufactured by Stark Defence, is 1.8 meters long (nearly 6 feet) and weighs 30 kilograms (66 pounds), capable of carrying a 5-kg (11-lb) warhead. The smaller HX-2 model from Helsing is more compact at 1.13 meters (3 feet 8 inches) and weighs 12 kilograms (26.4 lb). The HX-2 has already undergone testing in Ukraine, and Helsing is refining the system based on data gathered from the front lines.

Both systems use cameras and infrared sensors to identify and track targets such as tanks. However, Defense Ministry sources said that despite advanced AI capabilities, a pilot on the ground must grant final attack authorization. To facilitate this, the drones transmit encrypted photos or brief video sequences to the operator before engaging a target.