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Kamikaze drones are described as a "game changer" in modern warfare. Tests with systems from German manufacturers are underway. According to CORRECTIV, the Bundeswehr is also considering purchasing from Elbit Systems.

In order to be prepared for the future of warfare, the Bundeswehr wants to procure so-called kamikaze drones. They are launched from a carrier, for example, and can then be guided to their target. There they explode.

According to media reports, systems from German manufacturers Rheinmetall, Stark and Helsing are on the shortlist. However, according to CORRECTIV information, a possible fourth supplier has recently been brought into play: the Israeli company Elbit Systems.

In August, 700 million euros were estimated for Elbit's weapons, known in technical jargon as Loitering Munition Systems (LMS). This is according to internal documents from the Federal Ministry of Defense (BMVg), which are available to us. The Ministry does not wish to comment on specific procurement plans when asked.

Elbit Systems is the first non-German manufacturer to join the group of potential suppliers. The Israeli company is regarded as one of the global market leaders for drones and integrated weapon systems.

"Gamechanger" for the Bundeswehr: Loitering ammunition also on the 377 billion euro wish list

The 700 million euro order for Elbit is included in a list of new projects for the German Armed Forces. Politico first reported on this "wish list". The approximately 320 items amount to a total of 377 billion euros and are likely to extend over the coming years. According to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the German armed forces are to become the "strongest conventional army in Europe" with massive investments - as he announced in mid-May.

When presenting the procurement plans in April, the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, General Carsten Breuer, called drones and loitering ammunition a "game changer". This technology is a top priority for both the Ministry of Defense and the armed forces.

The Bundeswehr therefore actually wanted to procure such kamikaze drones particularly quickly. Tests and preliminary procedures for LMS from the manufacturers Stark and Helsing have been underway since April of this year - but apparently with problems. The two start-ups, for example, are behind schedule with regard to the delivery of "essential contractual delivery items/components", Der Spiegel quotes a confidential status report from the procurement office from the end of October. There is also talk of "performance problems". The Rheinmetall model, on the other hand, is only at a prototype-like stage.

It is unclear whether the problems had already become apparent in August, when, according to information from CORRECTIV, the Bundeswehr had written down its wish to procure LMS from Elbit Systems with a range of more than 100 kilometers. According to the list in the wish list, it was even planned to award the contract without a competition.

When asked by CORRECTIV, a spokesperson for the BMVg stated that a decision for a "large-volume procurement" of specific manufacturers had not yet been made. Contracts for the purchase of limited quantities of loitering ammunition have so far been concluded "exclusively for the purpose of certification/qualification with three manufacturers", the statement continued - without mentioning any company names.

All manufacturers are undergoing the same procedure, which is to be completed by the end of the year. Only then will a decision on procurement be made.

Kamikaze drones would not be the first Bundeswehr purchase from Elbit Systems - protests against the company

A specific model is not mentioned in the description of the project and Elbit Systems did not respond to a CORRECTIV inquiry on the subject. With SkyStriker, however, the company has a tried-and-tested technology at its disposal. In 2023, the company announced an order worth 95 million US dollars for the delivery of "several hundred units" of the system to an unspecified European country.

According to defense experts, there are understandable reasons for the procurement. "Elbit Systems is an Israeli multinational corporation that offers numerous weapons systems," says Max Mutschler from the Bonn International Center for Conflict Studies. "There are repeated collaborations, and Elbit Systems has made several purchases for the Bundeswehr." In the past, this has included radio equipment and reconnaissance technology, and in spring 2025 an order for artillery rocket launchers for the Bundeswehr was announced. The expert describes the exchange with Germany as a "give and take".

The fact that the Israeli arms manufacturer could also supply kamikaze drones for the Bundeswehr in the future is new. Value creation in Germany was only estimated at ten percent - probably due to the Elbit site in Ulm. For the majority of Bundeswehr procurement projects, however, it is preferred that production takes place in Germany and that money is therefore also earned in Germany with military procurements.

And: Elbit is a big player for Israel and the Israeli military. In the wake of the Israeli army's actions in the Gaza Strip, there have been repeated protests at the German site by activists demanding the closure of the plant.

https://correctiv.org/aktuelles/sicherheit-und-verteidigung/2025/11/08/bundeswehr-will-kamikaze-drohnen-von-israelischem-ruestungskonzern-beschaffen/

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The Israeli company Elbit Systems has received an order worth around 120 million US dollars to supply its Hermes 900 unmanned aerial system (UAS) for remote surveillance at sea to an "international customer". According to insiders, the customer is the European Air Force.

The Hermes 900 MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) multi-role UAS is Elbit Systems' largest unmanned aerial vehicle and is designed for a variety of missions, including area surveillance and continuous reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) both on land and at sea. Since the first order in 2011, the Hermes 900 has been selected by over 20 customers worldwide.

Yoram Shmuely, Managing Director of Elbit Aerospace, said that this contract reflects customer satisfaction with the company's solutions.

According to the sources, the new customer for Elbit's Hermes 900 UAV is a European military force that has signed a major contract with Elbit Systems for Hermes 900 UAVs and associated command and control systems. This order is part of a comprehensive five-year procurement package that includes missiles, UAVs and advanced command and control platforms.

The Hermes 900 UAVs delivered in this package are specifically designed for enhanced maritime and intelligence surveillance missions. The full list of the major contract includes PULS missile launchers and associated capabilities, but the Hermes 900 UAVs are a central part of the deal.

This procurement reflects increased defense spending in Europe due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and is part of a broader interest in Israeli air and unmanned defense solutions.

https://defence-network.com/elbit-systems-erhaelt-grossauftrag-hermes-900/

Hello my dears,

as I was shocked to discover while watching today's "Presseclub". The EU, and Germany in particular, is very poorly positioned when it comes to critical infrastructure, cyber attacks and drone defense. The plan here is to improve security at all costs.

Dear all, which companies do you think should benefit from this?

@EpsEra
@Multibagger

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Following airspace violations in Denmark and Eastern Europe, the European Union is pushing ahead with the construction of a "drone wall". What is known about the project so far.

Following several mysterious drone overflights in Denmark and repeated airspace violations by Russian drones in Eastern European countries, the EU wants to better protect its eastern flank. At the heart of the plans is a so-called "drone wall" - a defense system designed to detect, track and intercept unmanned aerial vehicles. What exactly the EU is planning, who is involved and how quickly the wall could be built: the most important questions and answers.

Who is building the drone wall?

The plans for the drone wall were presented at a video conference of EU defense ministers. The conference was mainly attended by Eastern European EU states, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania, as well as Finland. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, several representatives of the NATO defense alliance and the current Danish EU Council Presidency also took part. Conspicuously absent from the meeting was Germany - although security experts in this country have long warned of serious gaps in drone defense.

The EU wants to use its own financing instruments to fund this. EU Defense Industry Commissioner Kubilius spoke of a "protective shield for the eastern flank that will benefit the whole of Europe". At the same time, national defence budgets and the European defence industry are to be mobilized.

When will the drone wall be in place?

EU Defense Industry Commissioner Kubilius said in an interview with the news website Euractiv that the drone wall could be built within a year. However, EU officials do not expect the development of a comprehensive sensor network to improve airspace surveillance to be completed until the end of 2026. The development of an interception system is likely to take even longer. In the short term, additional sensors are to be installed first.

With material from the news agencies dpa and AFP

https://www.zeit.de/politik/2025-09/drohnenwall-eu-russland-drohnen-abwehrsystem-ostgrenze#wer-baut-den-drohnenwall

Dobrindt announces drone defense center

Following numerous drone sightings in Europe, the German government wants to introduce countermeasures. Interior Minister Dobrindt classifies the threat as "high" and is planning a drone defense center.

The German government wants to set up a drone defense center. This is Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt's response to the numerous sightings of missiles of unknown origin. The CSU politician said that there was a threat that could definitely be classified as "high".

Detecting, intercepting and shooting down drones are the basis for drone defense. Repositioning is an urgent project, explained Dobrindt.

Pooling expertise

According to him, the drone defense center should bundle the competencies of the federal police, the Federal Criminal Police Office and the police authorities of the federal states. Dobrindt said he wanted to bring together expertise and initiate new research projects.

New technology for fighting drone against drone

Fighting drones with nets or by so-called "jamming" (interrupting radio signals) has limited effect, according to Dobrindt. The Minister of the Interior is focusing on developing new technologies for drone-on-drone combat: "We can't wait for others to make this available".

According to the Interior Minister, the new drone defense center is the first part of a two-pillar strategy. As the second pillar, Dobrindt announced a new version of the Aviation Security Act in order to regulate the legal basis for defense measures.

DroneVation in Vienna - Austria discusses drones & drone defense. $RHM (+0,36%)

Appropriate systems are needed for defense. The Austrian head of armaments was accordingly proud to announce that he was the first customer for Rheinmetall's Skyranger system. He was in Zurich just last week and was able to see the progress of the procurement. "I can tell you that the 3.5 cm cannon systems will arrive on time and on schedule."

Painful for the German Bundeswehr - it will have to wait longer than planned for its new Skyrangers. Austria will receive its 36 air defense turrets earlier. The German Armed Forces have selected the Pandur Evo from GDELS as the carrier platform, as the vehicle is also available in other functions in the troops.

https://defence-network.com/1-dronevation-oesterreich-diskutiert-drohnen/

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AeroVironment: Step by step towards becoming a defense tech group

One of the biggest beneficiaries of the drone trend has traditionally been the US company AeroVironment from Arlington in the US state of Virginia. Founded in 1971, the company once made a name for itself with aircraft innovations and has been taking off as a drone supplier since the 2000s. AeroVironment primarily manufactures small and medium-sized reconnaissance drones and unmanned ground vehicles. Until 2025, AeroVironment was mainly known as a drone specialist, but in May the company bought defense technology provider BlueHalo for USD 4.1 billion as part of a share swap. Thanks to this acquisition, the company is now a diversified defense company with capabilities in space, drone defense, cyber, laser weapons and satellite technology. At the end of the third quarter of the 2025 financial year, the order backlog reached a record high of USD 764 million.

https://www.n-tv.de/wirtschaft/der_boersen_tag/Milliardendeal-Kampfdrohnen-Konzern-uebernimmt-Produzenten-von-Drohnenabwehr-article25372828.html

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While AeroVironment is valued at around USD 10 billion on the stock exchange, the Canadian drone specialist Volatus Aerospace, which has also been active for many years, only has a valuation of around EUR 200 million. Despite the significant difference in valuation, Volatus has also already proven that it is compatible with NATO standards. In 2025, Volatus landed NATO contracts in the areas of education and training as well as for the delivery of reconnaissance drones. Analyst Rob Goff from Ventum Capital sees these successes as indications of further potential for NATO contracts. Media reports repeatedly refer to Volatus' bulging order pipeline.

In addition to the military sector, Volatus also offers civilian solutions, for example for monitoring infrastructure such as bridges or pipelines, through to the Condor XL transport drone, with which the company intends to carry out test flights from the end of the year to test its use in the areas of logistics and forestry. Military use of such transport drones is also conceivable in principle.

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Airborne lasers - the next generation of drone defense

While the ground-based laser weapon developed in Israel has already proven its effectiveness against drones, efforts to develop an airborne system have been intensified. The airborne laser program is being led by the Israeli company Elbit Systems. Meanwhile, the lasers developed as a defensive weapon are also being considered for offensive use.

https://defence-network.com/luftgestuetzte-laser-drohnenabwehr/

Israeli drone defense for German warships?

https://marineforum.online/israelische-drohnenabwehr-fuer-deutsche-kriegsschiffe/

Drone defense: Bundeswehr receives first interceptor drones from Argus Interception

https://www.hartpunkt.de/drohnenabwehr-bundeswehr-erhaelt-erste-fangdrohnen-von-argus-interception/

https://argus-interception.com/de/

$FQT (-0,28%) Frequentis

https://getqu.in/j9ucf2/

$AXON (+0,21%) (my dears, perhaps the Kassel-based company has a good chance)

US group Axon buys Kassel-based company Dedrone

The company Dedrone discovered a gap in the market for itself with the defense against approaching drones. With great success. Now it is being taken over by an American security company. The company site in Kassel is also set to benefit from this.

https://de.dedrone.com/

https://www.hessenschau.de/wirtschaft/us-konzern-axon-kauft-kasseler-unternehmen-dedrone-v1,dedrone-verkauft-100.html

$EOS (-5,94%)

https://esut.de/2025/08/meldungen/62305/eos-liefert-100-kw-laser-drohnenabwehr/

https://getqu.in/dd0DoN/

Echodyne launches the EchoShield Rapid Deployment Kit on the market

With the proliferation of drones in the airspace, the need to quickly deploy situational awareness zones that detect, track, identify and contain threats is increasing. The RDK is designed for quick and easy deployment of four radars for robust, high-precision hemispheric coverage. The addition of the RDK to the EchoShield portfolio creates leading positions in all areas - from fixed sites to mobile deployments (OTM) to rapidly deployable temporary missions.

About Echodyne. $NOC (-0,04%)

Echodyne, the radar platform company, is a U.S. designer and manufacturer of advanced commercial radar systems for defense, government and commercial market applications. The company combines the patented Metamaterials Electronically Scanned Array (MESA®) architecture with powerful software and machine learning to deliver highly accurate situational awareness data that locates airborne and ground-based activity with unmatched speed, accuracy and precision. Echodyne's products are proven and trusted by military, government, integrators and critical infrastructure around the world. They set a new standard for radar quality. The privately held company is headquartered in Kirkland (WA, USA) and is backed by Bill Gates, NEA, Madrona Venture Group, Baillie Gifford, Northrop Grumman and Supernal, among others. See Radar in action at Echodyne.com.

Rohde & Schwarz presents new multi-band jammer for drone defense.

(Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held company and therefore has no shares,)

https://www.hartpunkt.de/ardronis-effect-rohde-schwarz-praesentiert-neuen-multiband-stoersender-fuer-die-drohnenabwehr/

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Hello my dears,

with the drone attack on Poland which was fought with very expensive weapons. Probably a big topic now, how relatively cheap drones can be fought with correspondingly cheap weapons.

Feel free to share your opinion in the comments. I'm looking forward to it.

The Australian armaments company EOS presents a containerized 150-kilowatt laser system that is completely self-sufficient against swarms of drones.

Australian defense manufacturer Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has unveiled its Apollo High Energy Laser Weapon(opens in new window) - a laser weapon system that can autonomously eliminate up to 200 medium-sized drones without relying on external power sources.

The development of air defense laser systems has been ongoing for decades, with technical challenges including reliable target detection, tracking capabilities, sufficient destructive power and robustness of the system under operational conditions.

The Apollo weapon system fits into a standard 20-foot shipping container and has two emitter units mounted on the top of the container. EOS reports that the system can eliminate drone targets at ranges of up to 3 km and disable optical sensors at ranges of up to 14.5 km. The platform provides 360-degree coverage with fast target acquisition capabilities.

Technical specifications and operational performance

The announced key data shows that Apollo can engage targets in a 60-degree arc within 700 milliseconds and potentially neutralize 20 Group 1 drones per minute. The system targets unmanned vehicles ranging from 9 kg Group 1 units to 600 kg Group 3 platforms.

The laser weapon's autonomous power supply distinguishes it from competing systems that require a continuous external power supply. According to the manufacturer, the battery enables use against around 200 drone targets. When connected to the main power supply, the system is said to have an unlimited operating capacity - more precise details were not provided.

According to reports, EOS has already concluded the sale to an unnamed NATO member state. How many units are involved and whether they have already been put into service remains unknown for the time being. The system is Itar-free(opens in new window), meaning that it does not require an export license from the USA.

Countries rely on lasers, microwaves or kinetic defense against drones

In China, on the other hand, microwave weapons are used to defend against swarms of drones. China South Industries Group Corporation (CSGC) and Norinco have presented a truck-based system for this purpose. The microwave weapon is mounted on an 8×8 truck from the Shacman SX2400/2500 series and also has a radar for target detection and tracking.

Russia, on the other hand, relies on small missiles against drones and has presented the Panzir SMD-E air defense system. This system dispenses with traditional machine guns and relies on a large number of small missiles and is intended for stationary use. Up to 48 of these fit into the launchers.

The UK wants to use lasers for air defense in the future. However, the new Dragonfire system is still at the testing stage and has already completed a number of firing exercises.

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The Israeli armaments company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit only announced in September 2025 that the high-performance Iron Beam 450 laser system was ready for series production and was about to be delivered to the Israeli armed forces. The system is said to be capable of intercepting rockets, mortar shells, enemy aircraft and drones. It is likely to be the first laser weapon to be put into active service.

September 20, 2025 at 14:30 / Andreas Donath

https://www.golem.de/news/eos-apollo-200-drohnen-pro-minute-ohne-externe-stromquelle-bekaempfen-2509-200309.html

Elbit Systems provides the drone interception solution of the future with the laser-based Iron Beam system!

Hello my dears is $ESLT (+0,26%) Elbit for you the qualitative and more broadly positioned $DRO (-20,23%) DroneShield?

Elbit P/E ratio 42 which drops to 33

DroneShield P/E 192 which drops to 135

For the first time in the history of military technology, laser weapons have destroyed aerial targets in combat, reports futurezone. According to the Israeli army, dozens of Hezbollah drones were shot down with the laser built by the armaments company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Many countries are currently working on laser weapons for air defense. While most of them are still in the test phase, Israel claims to be the first country in the world to have successfully used such a laser in combat.

Laser system from "Iron Beam" developer Rafael

However, this is not Iron Beam, which is intended to supplement Israel's Iron Dome missile-based defense system in the future. The name of the laser system is still a secret. All that is known is that it was developed by the Israeli company Rafael. Rafael is also behind Iron Beam. The company has confirmed the combat deployment on X, but is also not giving any names or details about the system.

According to the Israeli army, the laser is being used against Hezbollah drones in the north of the country. The size and type of the drones, and whether the laser also intercepted rockets and grenades, is not known. A video by Rafael shows the shooting down of a drone that Hezbollah has already used against Israel several times. It is likely to be an Iranian Shahed 101 or a variant of it. Depending on the version, this kamikaze drone can carry 8 to 10 kg of explosives and has a range of up to 900 km.

Weapon has hit drone wing

In the video, the laser specifically targeted the wings of the drone. The more important targets would be the warhead or the engine, because the drone would either explode in the air or crash immediately. However, the wing is thinner and therefore less protected against the laser. This indicates that the power of the laser may be too low to reliably destroy the vital points of a slightly larger fixed-wing drone.

According to futurezone, this in turn suggests that the laser has an output in the range of 30 to 50 kilowatts. By comparison, Iron Beam, when operational, is said to have at least 100 kW of power to destroy drones, missiles and grenades up to 10 km away.

https://www.trendingtopics.eu/laser-zerstoert-erstmals-drohnen-im-kampfeinsatz/

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Elbit Systems presents the new airborne missile warning system PAWS-2 (HR)

Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems will unveil its new High Resolution (HR) Missile Warning System (MWS), designated PAWS-2 (HR), at the Paris Air Show next week. According to the company, the HR sensor was developed to improve the survivability and operational effectiveness of modern combat aircraft.

According to the manufacturer, the PAWS-2 (HR) is a proven passive infrared warning system that can detect a variety of threats, including surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), air-to-air missiles and MANPADS - regardless of their seeker type. It offers advanced protection for fighter aircraft, transport aircraft and helicopters operating in complex and high-threat environments.

At the heart of the missile warning system is a new-generation cooled MWIR (Mid-Wave IR) sensor with a resolution of over 5 megapixels. This enables long-range detection, precise localization of the launch point and early warning for the timely deployment of countermeasures. The system's advanced image processing enables extremely low false alarm rates (FARs).

According to Elbit, the main highlights of the system are:

Extended detection range: high-resolution sensors enable earlier threat detection and faster response.

Low false alarm rate: Advanced algorithms improve threat discrimination and reduce operational disruption.

Improved threat segregation: High angular accuracy enables better classification and timing of countermeasures.

Advanced launch detection: The system detects missile launches in the vicinity and differentiates between direct threats and non-threat launches.

According to the press release, the system operates at a high sampling rate and enables helicopters to detect the direction of enemy fire from small arms, rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank guided missiles.

lah

https://www.hartpunkt.de/elbit-systems-stellt-das-neue-luftgestuetzte-raketenwarnsystem-paws-2-hr-vor/

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The Israeli armaments group Elbit Systems has received an order worth around 120 million euros from an unspecified European customer to supply artillery rockets for the Purpose Universal Launching System (PULS) weapon system with ranges of up to 300 kilometers.

According to a statement published yesterday by Elbit, the missiles will be delivered over the next three years. The agreement includes the delivery of ACCULAR training missiles (range up to 35 km) and EXTRA artillery missiles (range up to 150 km) as well as Predator Hawk (range up to 300 km).

In addition to Serbia, Denmark and Spain have also opted for the Israeli rocket artillery system. The Netherlands and Germany are also procuring the weapon system, which will subsequently be upgraded to the Euro-PULS variant.

The PULS multiple rocket launcher from Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems can fire a wide range of artillery rockets with a range of 12 to 300 km. Elbit states that the "unique" design of the PULS offers a lot of growth potential. For example, the system could be capable of firing loitering munitions, including the canister configuration of Elbit Systems' SkyStriker loitering munition. In addition, the PULS launcher is fully adaptable to existing wheeled and tracked platforms, which, according to the manufacturer, leads to a significant reduction in maintenance and training costs.

The Elbit missile portfolio for the PULS starts with the 122 mm ACCULAR missile. This has a range of up to 35 km and a 20 kg warhead. For a precise stand-off effect beyond 100 km, Elbit offers the EXTRA, which is available on the market. According to Elbit, the EXTRA can hit targets up to 150 km away with an accuracy of 10 m. The weight of the warhead is 120 kg. In addition to a unitary explosive fragmentation variant, a penetrator variant is also available. The Predator Hawk missile can penetrate even deeper. According to the manufacturer, the missile has a range of 300 km and an accuracy of 10 m. The warhead weight is 140 kg.

Waldemar Geiger

https://www.hartpunkt.de/elbit-systems-liefert-artillerieraketen-im-wert-von-rund-120-millionen-euro/