Overview
- According to media reports, the Defense Ministry plans to spend about €900 million on up to 12,000 loitering munitions split among Helsing, Stark and Rheinmetall, with contracts still subject to parliamentary approval.
- Participants say a late‑October Bundeswehr trial in Munster saw Helsing complete all flights to requirement while Stark missed targets and suffered a crash, and Rheinmetall did not take part.
- The Bundeswehr declined to discuss specific results but said all vendors must pass the same qualification covering software, safety, operability, suitability and documentation.
- Rheinmetall and MBDA say a high‑energy laser demonstrator for the Navy finished a year of sea trials on frigate Sachsen and has been handed to the WTD 91 test authority in Meppen, with company forecasts pointing to potential introduction from 2029.
- Rheinmetall’s surge reflects a wider defense‑industry boom as intelligence chiefs warn of an immediate elevated risk linked to Russia and recent drone sightings include a disruption at Munich airport.