The German government will invest a “three-digit million euro sum” — over €100 million — into the production of Ukrainian An-196 Liutyi long-range strike UAVs, according to a report by Der Spiegel. The funding will support the manufacture of several hundred units, significantly boosting Ukraine’s ability to target strategic objectives far behind enemy lines.
The An-196 Liutyi is a Ukrainian-designed kamikaze drone developed by Ukroboronprom — the largest arms manufacturer in Ukraine. It is capable of carrying a 75 kg warhead and has an operational range exceeding 2,000 kilometers. Initially unveiled in 2022, the UAV was first deployed in August 2023 when Ukrainian Special Operations Forces reportedly used it to strike a russian Black Sea Fleet base in the occupied Crimean town of Perevalne.
Read more: Who’s Behind the Threat to UK Bases Training Ukrainian Pilots on F-16s and Mirage 2000s?
The UAV belongs to a new generation of Ukrainian long-range precision weapons. With a total weight of over 200 kg, the An-196 Liutyi is built to perform autonomous deep strikes, navigating through complex air defense systems using advanced guidance technology.
Germany’s investment is part of a broader effort by the EU to integrate Ukraine into Europe’s defense industrial base. As Spiegel notes, Ukraine’s wartime experience has made it a valuable partner in the development of new military technologies, particularly unmanned systems.
“Ukraine is rapidly becoming a hub for drone innovation. Supporting its defense industry means strengthening not only Ukrainian resilience but also European security,” said an EU defense official cited by the magazine.
This funding is expected not only to increase the production volume of An-196 Liutyi drones but also to further develop Ukraine’s military-industrial complex. Analysts suggest that this may mark the beginning of deeper European cooperation with Ukraine in high-tech arms production — and potentially open the way for joint ventures and technology sharing in the future.
As the war enters a prolonged phase, Ukraine’s ability to produce and deploy effective long-range systems like the An-196 Liutyi could become a decisive factor on the battlefield, offering Kyiv greater strategic reach and deterrence against russian aggression.
Read more: Digging In Doesn't Help Anymore? Two russian D-30 Howitzers Went Underground, Still Got Destroyed
