Saturday, 21 December, 2024
Germany announced on Monday that it would be delivering 4,000 artificial intelligence-guided drones to Ukraine, although it continues to withhold the long-range Taurus missile system that Kyiv has repeatedly requested. The move solidifies Germany’s position as the second-largest military aid provider to Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia.
At a press event in Bavaria, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius revealed that the drones, which are supported by AI, are designed to neutralize enemy electronic drone defenses. He explained that these drones, capable of being deployed up to 30-40 kilometers (19-25 miles) behind the front lines, could strike key targets such as combat posts and logistics hubs—potentially even extending into Russian territory in some areas.
Though Germany had previously announced plans to supply drones in June, details on their specifications were not disclosed until now. While German media have dubbed the drones "mini-Taurus," officials have clarified that these tactical drones have a significantly shorter range than the Taurus missile system.
“These are tactical drones with a restricted range,” said defence ministry spokesperson Natalie Jenning, emphasizing that they are not comparable to the Taurus missiles, which are capable of reaching targets over 500 kilometers (310 miles) away.
The German government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party, has refused to send the Taurus missiles to Ukraine, fearing that doing so could escalate the conflict and draw Russia and the West into a direct confrontation. Despite repeated appeals from Kyiv, Berlin has maintained this position, even after U.S. President Joe Biden recently approved the use of long-range U.S. missiles by Ukraine to target Russian positions.
This stance has faced criticism within Germany, particularly from Vice-Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck, who has expressed support for sending the Taurus missiles. Habeck, leading the Green Party into the upcoming general election, stated that he would supply the missiles if he were chancellor. The opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which leads in opinion polls, has also voiced support for providing the missiles to Ukraine.
This division comes as Russia continues to make territorial gains and has escalated its military efforts by deploying North Korean troops to assist in the war. Despite these developments, Germany’s position remains unchanged.
Germany announced on Monday that it would be delivering 4,000 artificial intelligence-guided drones to Ukraine, although it continues to withhold the long-range Taurus missile system that Kyiv has repeatedly requested. The move solidifies Germany’s position as the second-largest military aid provider to Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia.
At a press event in Bavaria, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius revealed that the drones, which are supported by AI, are designed to neutralize enemy electronic drone defenses. He explained that these drones, capable of being deployed up to 30-40 kilometers (19-25 miles) behind the front lines, could strike key targets such as combat posts and logistics hubs—potentially even extending into Russian territory in some areas.
Though Germany had previously announced plans to supply drones in June, details on their specifications were not disclosed until now. While German media have dubbed the drones "mini-Taurus," officials have clarified that these tactical drones have a significantly shorter range than the Taurus missile system.
“These are tactical drones with a restricted range,” said defence ministry spokesperson Natalie Jenning, emphasizing that they are not comparable to the Taurus missiles, which are capable of reaching targets over 500 kilometers (310 miles) away.
The German government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party, has refused to send the Taurus missiles to Ukraine, fearing that doing so could escalate the conflict and draw Russia and the West into a direct confrontation. Despite repeated appeals from Kyiv, Berlin has maintained this position, even after U.S. President Joe Biden recently approved the use of long-range U.S. missiles by Ukraine to target Russian positions.
This stance has faced criticism within Germany, particularly from Vice-Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck, who has expressed support for sending the Taurus missiles. Habeck, leading the Green Party into the upcoming general election, stated that he would supply the missiles if he were chancellor. The opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which leads in opinion polls, has also voiced support for providing the missiles to Ukraine.
This division comes as Russia continues to make territorial gains and has escalated its military efforts by deploying North Korean troops to assist in the war. Despite these developments, Germany’s position remains unchanged.
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Germany announced on Monday that it would be delivering 4,000 artificial intelligence-guided drones to Ukraine, although it continues to withhold the long-range Taurus missile system that Kyiv has repeatedly requested. The move solidifies Germany’s position as the second-largest military aid provider to Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia.
At a press event in Bavaria, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius revealed that the drones, which are supported by AI, are designed to neutralize enemy electronic drone defenses. He explained that these drones, capable of being deployed up to 30-40 kilometers (19-25 miles) behind the front lines, could strike key targets such as combat posts and logistics hubs—potentially even extending into Russian territory in some areas.
Though Germany had previously announced plans to supply drones in June, details on their specifications were not disclosed until now. While German media have dubbed the drones "mini-Taurus," officials have clarified that these tactical drones have a significantly shorter range than the Taurus missile system.
“These are tactical drones with a restricted range,” said defence ministry spokesperson Natalie Jenning, emphasizing that they are not comparable to the Taurus missiles, which are capable of reaching targets over 500 kilometers (310 miles) away.
The German government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party, has refused to send the Taurus missiles to Ukraine, fearing that doing so could escalate the conflict and draw Russia and the West into a direct confrontation. Despite repeated appeals from Kyiv, Berlin has maintained this position, even after U.S. President Joe Biden recently approved the use of long-range U.S. missiles by Ukraine to target Russian positions.
This stance has faced criticism within Germany, particularly from Vice-Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck, who has expressed support for sending the Taurus missiles. Habeck, leading the Green Party into the upcoming general election, stated that he would supply the missiles if he were chancellor. The opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which leads in opinion polls, has also voiced support for providing the missiles to Ukraine.
This division comes as Russia continues to make territorial gains and has escalated its military efforts by deploying North Korean troops to assist in the war. Despite these developments, Germany’s position remains unchanged.
Germany announced on Monday that it would be delivering 4,000 artificial intelligence-guided drones to Ukraine, although it continues to withhold the long-range Taurus missile system that Kyiv has repeatedly requested. The move solidifies Germany’s position as the second-largest military aid provider to Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia.
At a press event in Bavaria, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius revealed that the drones, which are supported by AI, are designed to neutralize enemy electronic drone defenses. He explained that these drones, capable of being deployed up to 30-40 kilometers (19-25 miles) behind the front lines, could strike key targets such as combat posts and logistics hubs—potentially even extending into Russian territory in some areas.
Though Germany had previously announced plans to supply drones in June, details on their specifications were not disclosed until now. While German media have dubbed the drones "mini-Taurus," officials have clarified that these tactical drones have a significantly shorter range than the Taurus missile system.
“These are tactical drones with a restricted range,” said defence ministry spokesperson Natalie Jenning, emphasizing that they are not comparable to the Taurus missiles, which are capable of reaching targets over 500 kilometers (310 miles) away.
The German government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party, has refused to send the Taurus missiles to Ukraine, fearing that doing so could escalate the conflict and draw Russia and the West into a direct confrontation. Despite repeated appeals from Kyiv, Berlin has maintained this position, even after U.S. President Joe Biden recently approved the use of long-range U.S. missiles by Ukraine to target Russian positions.
This stance has faced criticism within Germany, particularly from Vice-Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck, who has expressed support for sending the Taurus missiles. Habeck, leading the Green Party into the upcoming general election, stated that he would supply the missiles if he were chancellor. The opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which leads in opinion polls, has also voiced support for providing the missiles to Ukraine.
This division comes as Russia continues to make territorial gains and has escalated its military efforts by deploying North Korean troops to assist in the war. Despite these developments, Germany’s position remains unchanged.
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