In light of the growing importance of military drone technology, established industrial giants Rheinmetall, Mercedes-Benz, and Heidelberger Druckmaschinen are forging alliances with startup companies. At the ILA Berlin Air Show on Wednesday, defense contractor Rheinmetall agreed to a collaboration with Munich-based startup ERC System, which has previously developed electric aircraft for civilian purposes. Meanwhile, the automaker and the printing press manufacturer are moving toward partnerships with drone defense specialists. According to the 'Financial Times', Mercedes-Benz intends to collaborate with Munich startup Tytan Technologies. Heideldruck announced a cooperation with an as-yet-unnamed Ukrainian drone provider.

Germany's largest defense group, Rheinmetall, has already entered into several partnerships and now aims to produce an electric cargo drone with ERC capable of transporting loads up to 250 kilograms. The companies and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) announced during the signing of a letter of intent that a three-digit number of jobs is expected to be created for production in NRW by 2029. Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger stated that this lays the 'foundation for the industrialization of a pioneering unmanned aerial system in Germany'. Deputy Minister-President and State Economics Minister Mona Neubaur (Greens) described it as a 'decisive contribution to the country's resilience'.

ERC develops electric aircraft that take off vertically like helicopters and fly forward like airplanes. In February, the subsidiary of the Bavarian technology group and defense service provider IABG successfully flew a 2.7-ton electric aircraft with a 16-meter wingspan. It offers space for several passengers and is scheduled for deployment by the DRF Air Rescue service starting in 2031. A smaller, unmanned version named 'Victor' is now expected to be ready for series production as early as 2028 in collaboration with Rheinmetall. ERC co-CEO Maximilian Oligschläger told Reuters that this would close a military capability gap. While many drones exist for transport up to 20 kg and traditional helicopters handle cargo from 500 kg, there are currently no unmanned vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) systems for medium payloads.

According to a media report, Mercedes-Benz is entering the drone defense sector by partnering with the startup Tytan. Both companies intended to sign a letter of intent on Wednesday, the 'Financial Times' reported, citing two people familiar with the matter. Mercedes will supply the vehicles for a mobile drone defense system. The Sprinter van and a military version of the G-Class SUV are to serve as the chassis for the weapon system dubbed 'Drone Defender'. These will be equipped with sensors and launchers for Tytan's interceptor drones. According to the report, the system is expected to be more cost-effective and available faster than complex platforms. Tytan aims to begin production of the 'Defender' by the end of the year.

By expanding its drone business, Heidelberger Druck is pushing forward with alternatives to its low-growth core business. The company explained on Wednesday that defense will become another pillar alongside its electric vehicle charging technology offerings. Consequently, the joint venture Onberg, founded by Heideldruck and the US-Israeli technology firm Ondas, will distribute and later mass-produce drone defense systems. At the ILA in Berlin, Onberg will announce a letter of intent regarding a potential collaboration with a Ukrainian company on drone technology.

(Report by Jörn Poltz, Ilona Wissenbach, Maria Rügamer, Rachel More, and Anneli Palmen, edited by Ralf Banser. For inquiries, please contact our editorial office at berlin.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com (for politics and economics) or frankfurt.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com (for companies and markets).)