Auterion Begins Mass Production of 5,000 Drones for Ukraine

For Kyiv Large Numbers of Drones From the Greater Munich Area

2026-09-09 Source: dpa | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

Mass production of more than 5,000 long-range combat drones for Ukraine has now begun at Auterion, as the dpa recently reported.

Here you can see a kamikaze drone from the joint venture between Auterion of the U.S. and Airlogix of Ukraine, which also impressed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in April. Now, the company is announcing the start of mass production of drones in Germany ...(Source: Auterion / Airlogix) — Here you can see a kamikaze drone from the joint venture between Auterion of the U.S. and Airlogix of Ukraine, which also impressed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in April. Now, the company is announcing the start of mass production of drones in Germany ...
(Source: Auterion / Airlogix)

According to the German-American defence contractor Auterion and its Ukrainian joint venture partner Airlogix, the first of more than 5,000 drones have already been manufactured. The German government’s order is expected to be completed by mid-2027. According to industry sources, the contract is worth approximately 300 million euros (approx. 350 million USD). The drones are part of Germany’s support for Ukraine. The company, which was founded just this past February, also expects follow-up orders and a long-term contract. In addition to the facility near Munich—which, for good reasons, has not been named—production is also set to take place at another location in eastern Germany. As we have further learned, the project involves two different drone models—one with a medium range and the other with a longer range (up to 1,500 kilometers, approx. 930 miles).

Auterion drones are also used in defensive operations

When it comes to drones, Auterion provides the software, including the operating system, and Airlogix supplies the hardware. Incidentally, these models are colloquially referred to as “kamikaze drones” because the explosive-laden aircraft are not intended to return. Their goal is to explode in enemy-occupied territory, causing as much damage as possible. Artificial intelligence is also used to ensure that the drone is not disrupted by electronic countermeasures, as experts from the greater Munich area explain. Most importantly, Germany can now mass-produce these precision weapons, making them affordable. This also increases their deterrent effect, as drone inventories could be significantly expanded. Auterion was founded in Switzerland by the German Lorenz Meier, but its headquarters are now located in the U.S. The company currently operates with approximately 300 employees, in addition to its partners.

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