Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems has forged a strategic alliance with Germany’s Diehl Defence to propose the SkyStriker loitering munition system for integration into the German Armed Forces. This collaboration, announced concurrently with a major European air show, underscores a significant move to enhance Germany’s autonomous precision-strike and reconnaissance capabilities. The initiative also aims to bolster Germany's domestic defense industrial base through localized manufacturing and assembly.
This partnership reflects Europe’s accelerated defense modernization and rearmament efforts in the current geopolitical climate, specifically post-conflict exigencies in Eastern Europe. It further highlights a burgeoning trend wherein proven Israeli defense technologies are being integrated into European security architectures to meet escalating strategic demands.
JERUSALEM — Israel’s Elbit Systems announced on June 11 that it has formed a new strategic partnership with Diehl Defence to offer the SkyStriker loitering munition to the German Armed Forces.
The announcement, which coincided with the Berlin Air Show, is part of a broader push by Elbit and other Israeli firms to tap into increasing European defense budgets. Elbit said that the deal will include local manufacturing and assembly of the system with Diehl, to support “the development of sovereign capabilities and strengthening the German defense industry.”
“This collaboration aims to meet Germany’s growing need for state‑of‑the‑art loitering munition systems, including by expansion of autonomous precision‑strike and reconnaissance capabilities,” an Elbit statement reads.
SkyStriker, first unveiled in 2017 at the Paris Air Show, boasts a range of over 200km, capable of carrying up to 10 kilograms of munitions, per the company. It’s an example of Israel’s major push into loitering munitions, which dates back to the 1990s but has taken on a larger emphasis following the Ukraine conflict and Israel’s own war in Gaza.
SkyStriker, which has been sold in the past to unnamed European nations, can also be used with other Elbit platforms such as the EuroPULS rocket launcher, the company noted. KNDS and Elbit signed a teaming agreement for EuroPULS in 2023 as Elbit saw a growing demand for precision artillery in Europe. Elbit said in 2025 that it had been awarded a contract to supply the PULS system to German’s armed forces.
“By combining Diehl’s deep experience in system integration and production with Elbit’s advanced loitering munition technology, we aim to provide a powerful and future‑ready solution for the German Armed Forces,” Elbit’s President and CEO Bezhalel Machlis, said in a statement distributed by the company, while describing the partnership as “strategic.”
“Diehl Defence is proud to partner with Elbit systems in the field of loitering munition to strengthen Germany’s capabilities in this segment,” Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch said in a statement. “This cooperation does not only strengthen the development of sovereign capabilities but also the German defence industry.”
Editorial Analysis
The SkyStriker’s capabilities, featuring an extensive operational range and significant munition capacity, offer the German military a crucial advantage in beyond-line-of-sight engagements and against time-sensitive targets. This system allows for precision targeting of both stationary and moving assets, integrating advanced autonomous functions directly into offensive and intelligence-gathering operations. Critically, the focus on local manufacturing not only addresses immediate capability gaps but also strengthens Germany's defense industrial sovereignty, mitigating supply chain dependencies and fostering domestic expertise. This direct response to lessons from recent conflicts, where such systems have proven decisive, will significantly impact force projection and strike effectiveness.
This collaboration is emblematic of a broader strategic shift across Europe towards rapidly acquiring and integrating battle-proven defense technologies, particularly those that have demonstrated efficacy in contemporary combat zones. The partnership effectively leverages Israeli innovation in loitering munition design with Diehl's robust German industrial integration capabilities, a model likely to be replicated as nations seek swift and decisive capability enhancements. Ultimately, it solidifies the role of loitering munitions as an indispensable component of any modern military arsenal, pushing the envelope for future doctrinal development in autonomous warfare.
