A leading figure in German politics is advocating for a significant expansion of the country’s military capabilities, with a particular emphasis on drone technology and advanced missile defense systems. Markus Söder, the leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), has called for the acquisition of thousands of drones, new rocket systems and an air defense shield comparable to Israel’s “Iron Dome” equipped with 2,000 interceptor missiles.
Söder argues that Germany requires a robust defensive “umbrella” utilizing precision weaponry. He proposes the creation of a “modern drone army” numbering 100,000 units, coupled with a defensive system mirroring the “Iron Dome” currently deployed in Israel. He suggests collaboration with Ukraine and Israel to leverage their operational experience in these areas.
Beyond drones, Söder’s proposal includes strengthening conventional capabilities with the procurement of 300 new battle tanks, 500 armored personnel carriers and at least 35 additional Eurofighter jets. He specifically advocates for 2,000 Patriot missile systems and 1,000 Taurus cruise missiles dedicated solely to German defense. Söder highlighted the importance of defending freedom, particularly in the air and space domains.
The CSU leader also stressed the necessity of establishing independent military satellites, arguing that situational awareness is critical in modern warfare. “Whoever is blind on the digitized battlefield cannot defend itself” he stated.
Industry experts are reinforcing the urgency of these calls. Julian Kelterborn, Development Director at the German-Ukrainian drone manufacturer “United Unmanned Systems” noted that drone warfare is becoming standard practice for nations posing potential military threats to the West, including Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. He warned that without proactive procurement, Germany risks falling behind in crucial operational expertise.
Kelterborn emphasized that nations like the United Kingdom, France, Denmark and the United States are already undergoing drone warfare training with the Ukrainian military, while German initiatives remain largely unanswered. This raises concerns about Germany’s preparedness to address evolving security challenges and its ability to effectively contribute to collective defense efforts.
