The German government has allocated funding for the production of over 500 kamikaze drones for long-range strikes on Russia. These are the An-196 "Feb" drones, Ukrinform reports with reference to Welt.
This is the first contract for Ukrainian long-range drones that Germany has signed after Chancellor Friedrich Merz promised to help Ukraine with long-range weapons.
The purchased drones will have a flight range of over 1,200 km and a warhead weighing 50 kg. It is noted that the drones will be ready in the coming month.
A few days earlier, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful announced the intensification of cooperation with Ukraine in the field of weapons production. According to the German official, Berlin will strengthen its military support for Kyiv.
"That's why we have already agreed to strengthen our cooperation with the arms industry. We want to create new joint ventures so that Ukraine can produce more and faster for its own defense, because your needs are huge," said Vadeful.
Recall that for the strikes on the Russian Kupol plant in Izhevsk, Ukraine used modernized "Lyutyy" kamikaze drones. They received a more streamlined body, which will allow the drones to fly a greater distance and be better protected from enemy radars.