Boris Pistorius said Germany now leads Europe in drone technology and is working to widen that lead, speaking during a visit to defence firm Hensoldt in Oberkochen. He emphasized close contact with Ukraine to inform development and deployment of unmanned systems. Pistorius also underlined that tanks, ships, aircraft and infantry remain essential even as investment in drones and land-based unmanned systems increases.
Pistorius Says Germany Leads Europe in Drone Technology, Vows to Expand Edge
FILE PHOTO - German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius (R) uses a remote control to operate the Gereon transport drone manufactured by ARX Robotics during a visit to Supply Battalion 7 at the Glueckauf Barracks. (is associated with: «Pistorius says Germany is European drone king as he seeks to widen gap») Bernd Thissen/dpa
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius insisted Germany is at the forefront of drone technology in Europe, pushing back against public perceptions that the country has fallen behind. He made the remarks during a visit to defence electronics firm Hensoldt in Oberkochen, Baden-Württemberg.
“Part of the German public still believes we are lagging behind on drones – that is long since history,” Pistorius told journalists. “We are ahead in Europe – all experts can confirm that.”
Pistorius said Berlin must build on this lead and is maintaining close contact with Ukraine to learn from the battlefield use of new systems. He stressed that the conflict has reaffirmed the continued importance of conventional forces: tanks, ships and aircraft remain necessary to hold or take territory.
“We will always need infantry too, but we will need more drones, we will need more unmanned systems on land as well,” he added.
Hensoldt specialises in radars and optical sensors, developing electronics, sensors and software for land, naval, air and space forces — and for cyberdefence. The publicly listed company reported revenue of €2.46 billion ($2.8 billion) last year.
As Germany seeks to translate its claimed lead into operational advantage, Pistorius pointed to closer industry-defence cooperation and international partnerships as key to scaling up unmanned systems while retaining a balanced conventional force structure.
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