On 9 September 2025, London hosted the 30th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein format after its first session at the US airbase in Germany. Over more than three years, the group has pledged over $145 billion in military aid, providing Ukraine with vital assets such as modern air defense systems, F-16 aircraft, tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery shells.

At the latest meeting in the Ramstein format, Germany announced a new ambitious initiative — support for the production of Ukrainian long-range drones. Berlin will invest €300 million in contracts with domestic companies, effectively betting on Ukrainian defense engineering as one of the key forces in the war against Russia.

The decision demonstrates a fundamental shift in Berlin’s approach. While earlier it was mostly about supplying ready-made weapons from Bundeswehr stockpiles, now the German government is betting on the development of Ukraine’s defense industry. This means not only supporting the front now but also creating the foundation for Ukraine’s defense independence.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the new program is called “deep strike.” It envisions the purchase of thousands of drones of various types, from reconnaissance to strike UAVs. Their ranges will allow them to hit targets far behind the frontlines. 

Pistorius stressed that cooperation with Ukrainian manufacturers will be long-term and scalable. 

“This is not only support for today but also an investment in the future of Ukraine and European security,” he said. 

For Ukraine, this news carries another dimension – recognition of its technological capability. Germany is effectively acknowledging that Ukrainian engineers are able to create world-class weaponry. This could open the door not only to military but also to civilian high-tech cooperation in the future.

The deep strike initiative comes amid the growing use of drones in the war. Ukrainian UAVs have already proven their effectiveness, striking oil depots, military warehouses, and ships of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Due to German investment, the scale of such operations could increase many times over.

At the same time, Berlin announced continued support with air defense systems, including Patriots, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of its assistance: on the one hand, protection of Ukrainian skies, and on the other, the ability to deliver pinpoint strikes on the enemy hundreds of kilometers away.

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