Germany and Ukraine are strengthening cooperation. Berlin is looking at the Brave1 and DELTA systems
Germany and Ukraine plan to deepen defense cooperation through joint development and production of drones, including long-range systems capable of flying at a distance of up to 1,500 km. km – said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during his visit to Ukraine.
Pistorius said Berlin intends to increase support for Ukraine's defense industry and enhance cooperation on unmanned technologies as both countries seek to advance military innovations in the face of Russia's ongoing invasion.
According to Pistorius, German and Ukrainian companies are already working on joint projects involving drones with different operational ranges. These include systems with a range of less than 100 km and long-range unmanned platforms capable of reaching targets up to 1.5 thousand km away. km.
Pistorius assessed that the development of long-range drones is becoming increasingly important in countering Russian attacks on Ukrainian military infrastructure. He added that the mass use of such systems could help suppress and destroy Russian air defense systems.
Germany is also interested in benefiting from Ukrainian battlefield experience and modern military practices, including Ukrainian DELTA combat management systems and operational experience gained during the war, the minister said.
Berlin also plans to join Brave1, a Ukrainian defense innovation platform that supports developers of military technologies and enables testing of new systems in combat conditions.
Pistorius said Germany would continue to support Ukraine in the fight against Russia's invasion while developing a strategic defense partnership between the two countries.
Pistorius arrived in Kiev on Monday on an unannounced visit to discuss expanding defense-industrial cooperation and joint weapons production with Ukraine. For security reasons, the trip was kept secret.
In April, Kiev and Berlin signed a defense agreement worth €4 billion, covering Patriot air defense missiles, drone production and the development of long-range weapons.
According to the agreement, Germany will deliver 36 IRIS-T launchers, which will strengthen Ukraine's multi-layer air defense system, and will also finance the production of PAC-2 Patriot anti-aircraft missiles in Germany. Deliveries are scheduled to take place between 2027 and 2029.
