The deal covers the manufacture of more than 500 Antonov-196 UAVs, which were already used in strikes against targets in Russia. The drones have a flight range of about 1,200 kilometers and can carry a 50‑kilogram explosive payload.
According to the report, the An-196 drones made under this program will be ready for use in the coming months.
German Defense Ministry officials confirmed that Berlin has taken on financing the project but declined to provide details on the types of armaments, the schedule, or the funding amounts. In a statement, the ministry said the support would enable Ukraine “to quickly acquire weapon systems that its military has already mastered.”
An-196 UAVs were likely used in the attack on a military factory in Russia’s Udmurtia earlier on July 1. Ukraine’s SBU security service said that drones were used in strike, covering 1,300 kilometers.