Bundeswehr
Germany's unified armed forces; published first standalone military strategy naming Russia its primary threat in April 2026.
On 22 April, the Bundeswehr committed more than €840m to loitering munitions for its brigade in Lithuania, linking its 2029 readiness plan to industrial-scale drone procurement.
Last refreshed: 1 October 2026 · Appears in 2 active topics
What does Germany's first-ever military strategy mean for NATO's Russia posture?
Timeline for Bundeswehr
Mentioned in: Merz funds interceptors built in Ukraine
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Drones: Industry & DefenceMentioned in: Helsing picks Plymouth for £350m plant
UK Startups and InnovationStark closes €500m above its own ask
Drones: Industry & DefenceHeld EUR 840M framework with Stark, Helsing and Rheinmetall as contract backdrop
Drones: Industry & Defence: Berlin startup priced ahead of deliveryBackground
The Bundeswehr is Germany's unified armed forces. It was established in 1955 after West Germany joined NATO. Its land, naval, air, cyber, support and medical services provide Germany's national defence force and a major part of its alliance contribution.
On 22 April, Germany's first standalone military strategy named Russia its biggest and most immediate threat and set a 2029 readiness deadline. The plan calls for active strength to rise from 185,420 to 260,000 by the mid-2030s. This expansion makes the Bundeswehr central to Germany's long-term conventional defence posture.
Bundeswehr builds a drone arsenal
On 22 April, Bundeswehr procurement covered 4,300 Helsing HX-2, 2,200 Stark Virtus and more than 10,000 Rheinmetall FV-014 loitering munitions. The programmes are intended for the German brigade in Lithuania, while Rheinmetall plans deliveries from the first half of 2027.
The orders give the Bundeswehr a route from small specialist purchases to attritable-scale weapons. On 20 May, Helsing's HX-2 was confirmed in combat against Russian targets in Ukraine. That use gives the Bundeswehr a live operational reference for one system in its new arsenal.
What is the Bundeswehr?
How big is the Bundeswehr?
Who commands the Bundeswehr?
What is the Bundeswehr's budget?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 1 October 2026. Editorial standards.