Germany Starts Mass Production of Long-Range AI-Guided Drones for Ukraine
Germany has begun producing more than 5,000 long-range strike drones for Ukraine under a contract running to mid-2027, according to Handelsblatt. Built by Auterion and Ukraine’s Airlogix with AI-powered guidance to resist jamming, one model can hit targets up to 1,500 km away.
Germany is ramping up support for Ukraine with a large-scale drone program that could significantly extend Kyiv’s ability to strike at range.
According to Handelsblatt, production has started in Germany on more than 5,000 long-range strike drones destined for Ukraine under a contract that runs through mid-2027. The systems are being produced by Auterion and Ukraine’s Airlogix.
One of the drone models is reported to be capable of striking targets up to 1,500 kilometers away. The drones are equipped with an AI-powered autonomous guidance system designed to help them stay on course under electronic-warfare conditions, when navigation signals may be jammed or spoofed.
For Ukraine, a steady supply of purpose-built long-range drones offers a way to hit ammunition depots, command centers, airfields and fuel sites far beyond the front lines. Kyiv has already used improvised and domestically produced drones to reach deep into Russian-controlled territory; German-backed production adds scale, industrial backing, and advanced navigation features.
From Russia’s perspective, the move adds pressure on its air defenses and logistics. Even if many drones are intercepted, they can force Moscow to devote more interceptor missiles, radar coverage, and electronic-warfare assets to protecting sites far from the battlefield, potentially stretching its defenses.
Politically, the program underlines a shift in European support from primarily defensive systems toward enabling deeper Ukrainian strikes. Berlin has already supplied key air-defense assets such as Patriot components; mass-producing offensive strike drones further embeds Germany in Ukraine’s long-range campaign.
Signals to watch include more detailed disclosures from German officials on delivery schedules, evidence of Ukrainian training on the new systems, and any observable changes in Russian air-defense deployments or reported strikes on distant targets as the drones enter service.
Sources
- OSINT