KOBLENZ / DÜSSELDORF — April 23, 2026 : Rheinmetall has signed a framework agreement with the Bundeswehr to supply FV-014 loitering munition systems, also referred to as kamikaze or autonomous reconnaissance and strike drones. The contract was signed on April 22, 2026, in Koblenz by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw).
The framework agreement has a value in the billions of euros, with a reported ceiling of approximately €2.4 billion. It includes an initial call-off order worth approximately €300 million gross, which will be booked in April 2026. This first tranche covers around 2,500 units. The agreement provides options for a five-figure number of additional systems, potentially exceeding 10,000 drones in total.
Deliveries under the initial order are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027, following qualification activities that are set to start in the second quarter of 2026. The systems will be developed and manufactured entirely within the European Union, with production taking place in Neuss, Germany. The design supports rapid industrial-scale production.
The FV-014 is a portable, fixed-wing loitering munition system developed by Rheinmetall. It features a launch weight of approximately 20 kg, including a 6 kg payload. The system has an operational range of up to 100 km, with a data link range of 60 km, and a flight endurance of 70 minutes. It is equipped with a High-Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) warhead that provides penetration of more than 600 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) while remaining effective against unarmored targets and infrastructure.
The drone supports target reconnaissance, tracking, and precise engagement, including single-unit or swarm attacks. It operates under human-in-the-loop control via a ground station, allowing real-time target identification, mission abort capability, and coordinated swarm operations managed by a single operator. The system is designed for use in GNSS-denied environments and incorporates low acoustic and thermal signatures. Launch occurs from a container using a booster, after which the wings unfold for aerodynamic flight. It is intended for tactical deployment at brigade and battalion levels.
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger stated: “Within a very short time, Rheinmetall has developed an autonomous drone that combines reconnaissance and strike capabilities. The FV-014 will enable the Bundeswehr to protect its own forces and engage critical targets in a fast, controlled and effective manner. We are grateful for the trust placed in us and will begin producing the system in large quantities on an industrial scale very soon.”
This agreement forms part of the Bundeswehr’s loitering munition procurement program. It represents the third framework contract of this type signed in 2026, following similar deals with Helsing for the HX-2 and STARK for the Virtus systems. The German Budget Committee approved the Rheinmetall framework on April 15, 2026. The systems are expected to support tactical units, including potentially the Panzerbrigade 45 stationed in Lithuania.
The FV-014 was previously demonstrated by Rheinmetall in February 2026 at a NATO customer event. The company has also offered the system to Ukraine, with discussions for an initial batch of 200 units reported earlier in 2026, though those talks faced funding delays.
The contract contributes to the expansion of Germany’s uncrewed aerial capabilities within its broader defense procurement efforts. It adds to Rheinmetall’s portfolio of uncrewed systems and supports the scaling of domestic and EU-based production for precision munitions. Qualification and delivery timelines align with the program’s requirements for proven maturity through testing. No further financial or operational details beyond those outlined in the announcement have been disclosed.
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