The German Armed Forces has awarded Rheinmetall a multi-billion-euro framework contract to deliver FV-014 autonomous reconnaissance and strike drones.
The initial contract is valued at around €300 million ($351 million), with deliveries expected to commence in the first half of 2027 following system qualification in Q2 2026. The agreement also includes an option for procuring a five-figure quantity of FV-014 systems.
The FV-014 loitering munition offers a strike range of up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) and is equipped with a 4-kilogram warhead capable of penetrating up to 600 mm of rolled homogeneous armor. Designed to merge reconnaissance and strike roles, the system is fully produced within the European Union.
It can remain airborne for up to 70 minutes, enabling persistent surveillance before engagement. Its electric propulsion ensures low acoustic signature for stealth operations, while a secure data link provides real-time target tracking and the option to abort missions if required.
The platform is engineered to function in GPS-denied environments and under electronic countermeasures, with the ability to operate in swarms to overwhelm defenses or engage multiple targets simultaneously. It can be launched from various platforms, including ground vehicles and naval vessels, targeting assets such as armored vehicles, artillery systems, and command posts.
