WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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AUTHOR: M.J. GDNUS
Germany will equip its Bundeswehr military with "kamikaze drones," a type of weapon that plays a crucial role in Russia's war in Ukraine, said Ministry of Defense spokesperson Mitko Miler today.
"Two contracts have been signed" for the delivery of these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) filled with explosives that self-destruct upon hitting a target, Miler stated during a regular press conference, although he declined to name the suppliers.
According to German media reports, the drones are being supplied by two companies specializing in defense artificial intelligence: Helsing and Stark. These companies were founded by German entrepreneurs and are among the most well-known in the sector.
The German military, currently undergoing forced modernization, does not yet possess this type of weapon, which military experts describe as "loitering munitions."
The orders relate to "quantities that will allow for practical testing" in order to gain experience with their use before they are fully integrated into the Bundeswehr's arsenal, Miler added.
"It is clear that a human being makes the decision whether to use the weapon or not," he said in response to a question about the autonomy of these high-tech machines.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced in late November the delivery of 4,000 drones from Helsing to Ukraine.
These sophisticated UAVs are capable of operating within a range of 30 to 40 kilometers into Russian territory, targeting "combat points and logistical hubs," he said.
In deeply pacifist Germany, with its history shaped by the horrors of Nazism, the use of armed drones and automated weapon systems for attacks has long been controversial. Only after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022 did a shift in policy occur.
The Bundeswehr currently operates several types of drones, including the Israeli-made "Heron," which are used for reconnaissance and force protection, according to the German military's website.
