The German-American start-up Auterion and Ukrainian arms maker Airlogix signed a contract in Berlin to produce attack drones with a range of 1000 to 1500 kilometers. The deal was sealed in the presence of Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The drones could strike targets deep in Russian territory.
Auterion CEO Lorenz Meier and Airlogix CEO Vitalii Kolesnichenko signed the contract on Tuesday in Berlin. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) attended. The drones resemble Russian Shahed models and can carry warheads of 20 to 40 kilograms.
Production will start in a Munich factory, followed by another site in eastern Germany. The deal covers thousands of drones, though exact numbers and financial details remain undisclosed. Auterion provides the software, Airlogix the assembly.
Munich-based drone maker Quantum Systems is expanding partnerships with Ukrainian firms through two more joint ventures. These follow an intent declaration between Germany and Ukraine in October 2025.
"Our engineers developed these systems under fire," Kolesnichenko said. The collaboration aims to scale production and incorporate battlefield feedback from Ukraine, making the systems available to other international partners.
