Serial production of over 5,000 long-range combat drones for Ukraine begins near Munich
A joint venture of German-American defense company Auterion and Ukrainian partner Airlogix has started serial production of more than 5,000 long-range kamikaze drones for Ukraine at a facility near Munich. The order, placed by the German government and worth around 300 million euros, is to be fulfilled by mid-2027. The drones come in two variants, including one with a range of up to 1,500 km, and use AI to resist enemy electronic countermeasures.
Key points
- Production of 5,000+ long-range combat drones for Ukraine has begun near Munich, Germany.
- The drones are made by the Auterion–Airlogix joint venture, founded in February 2026.
- The German government order is worth approximately 300 million euros and is to be completed by mid-2027.
- Two drone models are in production: a medium-range model and a long-range model with a range of up to 1,500 km.
- The drones are one-way 'kamikaze' drones that detonate on impact and use AI to counter enemy electronic countermeasures.
- Auterion supplies the software and operating system; Airlogix supplies the hardware.
- Germany has separately allocated 90 million euros to buy 50,000 Ukrainian Shrike drones for the Defense Forces.
Why it matters
The launch of large-scale serial production on German soil marks a new phase in Germany's military support for Ukraine, translating a multi-hundred-million-euro procurement commitment into an ongoing industrial output stretching into 2027. By combining German manufacturing capacity with Ukrainian combat experience through a recently formed joint venture, the project aims to deliver strike drones — including a 1,500 km variant — at a pace and price that allow substantial stockpiling. It runs in parallel with a separate 90-million-euro German program to procure 50,000 Ukrainian-made Shrike drones.
What happened
Auterion, a German-American defense company, and its Ukrainian partner Airlogix have begun serial production of more than 5,000 long-range combat drones for Ukraine at a site near Munich. The order, placed by the German government, is valued at approximately 300 million euros and is scheduled to be completed by mid-2027. The program covers two models: a medium-range drone and a long-range drone with a flight radius of up to 1,500 km. The drones are one-way, kamikaze-type systems carrying explosives that detonate on impact, and use artificial intelligence to resist enemy electronic countermeasures. Auterion supplies the software and operating system, while Airlogix provides the hardware. A second production facility is planned in eastern Germany. The first combat-tested systems are expected to be delivered to Ukraine this year, according to Auterion's CEO. The joint venture expects further orders beyond the initial contract. Separately, the German government has allocated 90 million euros to finance the procurement of 50,000 Ukrainian Shrike drones for Ukraine's Defense Forces.
Where reporting differs
Sources differ on the founding date of the Auterion–Airlogix joint venture: most report simply 'February' of the current year, while at least one article specifies February 2026.
Background
The Auterion–Airlogix joint venture was founded in February 2026. Auterion was established in Switzerland by Lorenz Mayer, who is of German origin; the company is now headquartered in the United States, with its German office in Munich, and employs around 300 people. Auterion reports being profitable but does not disclose its annual revenue. The start of production was first reported by the German business daily Handelsblatt on 3 September. Separately, Munich police are investigating an attempted arson attack on a construction site at the Munich headquarters of another defense company, Rohde & Schwarz, after unknown individuals threw incendiary devices.