Rheinmetall Starts Mass Production of Kamikaze Drones as Germany Ramps Up Defence Industry
Reflecto News | Defence & Technology | Europe
DÜSSELDORF — German defence giant Rheinmetall has officially begun mass production of its FV-014 loitering munition — a so-called “kamikaze drone” — at its converted Neuss plant, CEO Armin Papperger announced at the company’s annual general meeting on Tuesday .
The move marks a significant expansion of Germany’s domestic drone production capacity, transforming a former automotive parts factory into a facility churning out advanced weaponry for the Bundeswehr. Production is also ongoing at Rheinmetall’s Braunschweig site, with Neuss now serving as a second major hub .
📊 FV-014: What the Kamikaze Drone Can Do
The FV-014, unofficially referred to as the “Raider,” is a 20 kg-class electrically propelled loitering munition with the following specifications :
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Warhead | 4 kg (dual‑purpose) |
| Operational Range | Up to 100 km (62 miles) |
| Datalink Range | ~60 km (37 miles) |
| Flight Endurance | Up to 70 minutes |
| Launch Method | Container launch with booster; wings unfold in flight |
| Navigation | Operates in GNSS‑denied environments |
| Engagement Profiles | Single‑ship or swarm operations |
The drone is designed for dual use: it can loiter over a target area for extended surveillance before being commanded to strike, combining intelligence gathering with precision attack capability . If no target is identified, the system is designed to perform a controlled crash rather than land and be reused .
Papperger described the system as one that “combines reconnaissance and strike capabilities within a single platform,” allowing the Bundeswehr to “protect its own forces and engage critical targets in a fast, controlled and effective manner” .
🏭 From Car Parts to Weapons of War
The Neuss plant — located near Düsseldorf — was previously dedicated to automotive component manufacturing. Rheinmetall is currently divesting its struggling automotive supplier division and repurposing its industrial capacity for defence production .
The conversion of the Neuss site has been underway since early 2026. Rheinmetall confirmed that the facility is now producing the FV-014 on an industrial scale, with a spokesperson noting that the company is on the verge of significantly expanding output .
Crucially, the entire system is manufactured within the European Union: the drone itself is produced in Germany, while its warhead is manufactured in Italy .
💰 Bundeswehr Orders and Financial Framework
The Bundeswehr has already placed an initial order valued at approximately €300 million for the FV-014. The contract is part of a broader framework agreement that allows for the procurement of up to a five-figure number of drones, with a potential total value in the billions of euros .
| Contract Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial Order Value | ~€300 million |
| Framework Scope | Up to 5‑figure quantity (10,000+) |
| Unit Price (est.) | ~€120,000 per drone |
| Framework Total Value | €billions |
| First Deliveries | 1st half of 2027 |
Based on the unit price of €120,000 reported by Defence Express, the initial €300 million order likely consists of approximately 2,500 drones . Deliveries to the Bundeswehr are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027, following system qualification expected from the second quarter of 2026 .
The framework agreement includes options for the Bundeswehr to order “a five-figure number of autonomous reconnaissance and strike drones” , potentially exceeding 10,000 units over the life of the contract.
🛡️ Strategic Context: Germany’s Loitering Munition Procurement
The FV-014 is one of three loitering munition systems the Bundeswehr is acquiring as part of a broader plan to form six strike drone batteries by 2029 . The other two systems are:
- HX-2 from Helsing (range up to 100 km, unit price ~€62,500)
- Virtus from STARK (range up to 130 km, unit price ~€122,000)
All three systems reportedly use the same warhead, suggesting a degree of commonality in the Bundeswehr’s loitering munition arsenal .
The procurement push reflects a doctrinal shift for Germany, which has historically been cautious about autonomous weapons procurement. The war in Ukraine — where drones have reshaped tactical engagement on the front line — has accelerated Berlin’s recognition of the need to field strike drone capability at scale .
🚀 What Comes Next
Qualification trials for the FV-014 are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026 . Once certified, initial deliveries to the Bundeswehr are scheduled for the first half of 2027 .
Rheinmetall has also signaled its readiness to supply the FV-014 to Ukraine, provided the necessary funding is secured. If that occurs, delivery timelines for significant batches to Ukrainian forces could be aligned with those for the Bundeswehr .
The Neuss plant’s full conversion to defence production is expected to continue throughout 2026 and beyond, with Rheinmetall aiming to further expand output in response to customer demand .
📋 Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Announcement | Rheinmetall CEO Armin Pappenger announced mass production of FV-014 kamikaze drones at the company’s AGM (May 2026) |
| Production Sites | Braunschweig and Neuss (former automotive parts factory, now fully converted) |
| Drone Specifications | 4 kg warhead, 100 km range, 70‑minute endurance, swarm-capable |
| Bundeswehr Order | €300m initial order (~2,500 drones); framework allows for 5‑figure quantity (€billions) |
| First Deliveries | Expected first half of 2027 |
| Strategic Context | Part of German plan to field six strike drone batteries by 2029 |
| Ukraine Potential | Rheinmetall ready to supply FV-014 to Ukraine if funding secured |
| EU Manufacturing | Drone produced in Germany; warhead manufactured in Italy |
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Updated: May 13, 2026