Germany’s Defence Ministry plans to acquire about 8,300 drone systems by 2030, according to people familiar with the procurement programme. The goal covers short-range reconnaissance aircraft as well as larger uncrewed combat platforms and reflects Berlin’s effort to modernise the Bundeswehr after years of underinvestment. While the figure would give Germany one of NATO’s larger drone fleets, it still trails the more ambitious targets set by some alliance members as governments accelerate spending on autonomous weapons tested in conflicts from Ukraine to the Middle East. The planned build-up forms part of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s €100 billion special defence fund, approved following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and complements parallel investments in missile defence, ammunition and heavy armour.