German lawmakers have given their formal approval to a major defense deal, clearing the way for the government’s planned purchase of three additional Heron surveillance drones from Israel in a package worth nearly €1 billion ($1.2 billion). The decision, reached during a budget committee meeting of the Bundestag, highlights Berlin’s determination to significantly expand its military capabilities amid rising security challenges in Europe and beyond. The deal is seen as part of Germany’s broader effort to modernize its armed forces and reinforce its position within NATO, reports G.business citing Bloomberg.
The Bundestag’s budget committee also supported the acquisition of six-wheeled Patria armored personnel carriers from Finnish manufacturer Patria Land Oy, according to individuals familiar with the closed-door talks in Berlin on Wednesday, who requested anonymity before an official statement is released.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is seeking parliamentary approval for more than 80 procurement projects by the end of this year. These include 20 Eurofighter jets as well as several thousand tanks and armored vehicles.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to make Germany’s Bundeswehr the strongest conventional army in Europe. His coalition government plans to double annual defense spending within four years, reaching €162 billion. This target far exceeds NATO’s new benchmark of 3.5% of GDP for core defense expenditures, plus an additional 1.5% of GDP for related investments.
The latest purchase of Israeli defense technology has sparked debate, given that it coincides with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s escalation of military operations in the Middle East. Merz condemned Tuesday’s Israeli airstrike on Hamas officials in Qatar as “unacceptable” and emphasized that “the war must not spread across the entire region.”
Lawmakers also backed a separate request from the German defense ministry to buy upgrade kits from the United States for Patriot air defense systems destined for Ukraine. That contract, with U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp., is valued at around €114 million.
Stay connected for news that works — timely, factual, and free from opinion — and insights that matter now: Milad un-Nabi 2025: How Germany Celebrates the Prophet’s Birthday
