Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.
Resistance factions' statement: Agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a temporary Palestinian committee of independent technocrats.

Germany to send 4,000 drones to Ukraine, withholds missiles

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 18 Nov 2024 15:59
4 Min Read

The drones will be delivered in phases, with the first batch expected by December and several hundred more delivered monthly thereafter.

Listen
  • x
  •  German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (AFP via Getty Images)
    German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (AFP via Getty Images)

Germany is set to send 4,000 advanced drones to Ukraine, dubbed "mini-Tauruses", as part of its growing support for Ukraine’s defense efforts. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), developed by German defense company Helsing, are equipped with AI systems, enhancing their autonomy in complex missions.

Designed for kamikaze-style attacks, they are reportedly effective against high-value targets and in electronic warfare conditions.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed the plan, highlighting the drones' role in boosting Ukraine's tactical capabilities. The drones will be delivered in phases, with the first batch expected by December and several hundred more delivered monthly thereafter.

The AI-driven drones offer improved navigation, allowing them to strike targets with precision even in harsh weather or difficult terrain, including areas subjected to “scorched earth” tactics. With an operational range reportedly four times greater than conventional Ukrainian kamikaze drones, these UAVs are reportedly poised to significantly enhance Ukraine’s offensive capabilities.

In a related development, a German government spokesperson confirmed on Monday that Germany’s position on supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine remains unchanged, despite the US reversing its stance to permit the use of US-made weapons for strikes deep within Russia.

"The chancellor's decision is unchanged," the spokesperson stated during a regular press conference in Berlin. While Germany is Ukraine’s second-largest military aid donor after the US, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has reportedly resisted providing Ukrainian forces with German-made Taurus long-range missiles, citing concerns over escalating the conflict with Russia.

Dive deeper

The shipment of "mini-Taurus" drones follows a memorandum of cooperation signed in February 2024 between Ukraine's Ministry of Strategic Industries and Helsing, emphasizing Germany’s commitment to strengthening Ukraine's defense through military aid and industrial partnerships.

Related News

Russia envoy says Russia, US, Ukraine near diplomatic breakthrough

Russia, China, Iran send joint letter to IAEA on Resolution 2231 end

Despite this, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has continued to reject the provision of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, a position that has sparked debate within German politics.

Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has strongly advocated for sending the missiles, claiming that it would not constitute active involvement in the conflict. Additionally, members of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) have suggested that the Bundestag may hold a vote on the issue.

Putin to Scholz: Any deal on Ukraine should consider Russia security

Russian President Vladimir Putin told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that any deals on Ukraine should consider Russian security interests, develop from new geographical realities, and address the core causes of the conflict, a statement by the Kremlin revealed last week.

German sources confirmed that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone on Friday for the first time in over two years for "an hour", discussing the Ukraine war, the Middle East, and energy issues.

Putin has not talked with most NATO and Western leaders since 2022 when the EU and US slapped heavy sanctions on Russia for the war in Ukraine, yet he maintains contact with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is skeptical of Western policy toward Russia, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A Kremlin statement revealed that the call was held "on the initiative of the German side," asserting that the aides of Putin and Scholz will be in touch.

During the call, Putin stressed that Russia has never rejected and is still willing to resume talks on Ukraine. 

"The Russian side has never refused and remains open to resuming the negotiations that were interrupted by the Kiev regime. Russia's proposals are well known and were outlined, in particular, in a speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry in June," a Kremlin statement explained.

Meanwhile, a German government spokesperson said in a written statement, “The Chancellor urged Russia to be prepared to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace."

Read more: UK, France could reassess Russia strikes for Europe security: Diplomat

  • Russia
  • Germany
  • war in Ukraine
  • Ukraine
  • Drones
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Flags of Iran, Russia, and China (IRNA)
Politics

Russia, China, Iran send joint letter to IAEA on Resolution 2231 end

Rubio says UNRWA to play no role in Gaza aid deliveries
Politics

Rubio says UNRWA to play no role in Gaza aid deliveries

Tents are seen at UN school used as a shelter for displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis, Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Politics

UN warns of 'lost generation' amid Gaza education crisis

x
Politics

White House pushes to repeal US sanctions on Syria: Report

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS