Breaking News: Germany to Fund Production of 500 An-196 Liutyi Long-Range Drones for Ukraine in New Contract
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
On July 1, 2025, it was announced that Germany will fund the production of 500 An-196 Liutyi long-range drones for Ukraine through a new contract. Amid intensifying efforts to reinforce Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities, Berlin has taken a decisive step by signing its first contract to fund the mass production of Ukrainian-made Liutyi drones. This move reflects a deepening partnership between Germany and Ukraine’s defense sectors, expanding beyond traditional military aid to direct investment in domestic production. The news, as reported by Russian Tass and Ukrainian Militarnyi, signals a significant shift in Europe’s support posture and comes at a moment when long-range capabilities are crucial for Ukraine’s operational reach.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Strategically, Berlin’s funding of Liutyi production demonstrates an emerging European willingness to back not just arms transfers but also indigenous Ukrainian manufacturing (Picture source: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine )
The An-196 Liutyi, is a Ukrainian long-range kamikaze drone designed for strategic strikes deep behind enemy lines. This UAV can carry a 50 kg explosive warhead and has an effective flight range of approximately 1,200 kilometers, enabling it to reach critical Russian infrastructure such as oil refineries and military plants. Technically, the Liutyi benefits from a streamlined aerodynamic design that improves radar evasion and fuel efficiency, while its modern guidance system enhances target accuracy. Its unit cost is estimated to be twice that of Ukraine’s earlier Bober drone, highlighting its enhanced capabilities and range.
The development of the Liutyi drone emerged from Ukraine’s urgent need to counter Russia’s deep rear logistical networks. Operationally, the drone has already proven its effectiveness, with reports confirming its use in strikes like the attack on the Kupol plant in Izhevsk. Ukrainian engineers have refined the original concept by integrating lighter composite materials and extended-range fuel tanks. This evolution mirrors the iterative development seen in similar systems like Iran’s Shahed series, which also started with short-range versions and evolved into drones with regional strike reach.
Compared to older loitering munitions like the Bober or Russia’s Lancet drones, the Liutyi stands out for its superior range, larger warhead, and improved stealth profile. Unlike the Bober, which was limited to under 600 km, the Liutyi’s operational radius effectively doubles its strike options, while its cost remains significantly lower than equivalent cruise missiles. This positions the Liutyi as a cost-effective alternative for persistent pressure on Russian critical infrastructure far from the frontlines.
Strategically, Berlin’s funding of Liutyi production demonstrates an emerging European willingness to back not just arms transfers but also indigenous Ukrainian manufacturing. By doing so, Germany aims to reduce delivery times and support Ukraine’s defense industrial base amid high attrition rates for drone stockpiles. Geopolitically, this decision may heighten tensions with Moscow, which has repeatedly warned that increased long-range strike support prolongs the conflict. Militarily, this new capacity enables Ukraine to stretch Russia’s air defense assets thin over vast areas, potentially forcing Moscow to divert resources away from the front lines.
Financially, the project is reported to be worth a “three-digit million sum,” according to German Die Welt, marking a major investment in Ukraine’s domestic UAV sector. This is Germany’s first contract specifically for long-range drones, following Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s commitment to strengthen Ukraine’s stand-off strike options. Sweden has already paved the way by funding a similar production line in November 2024. Germany, now the second-largest donor after the US, has reinforced this approach by opening the door to future joint ventures, potentially extending to drone-launched missile systems like the Bars.
This latest agreement underscores Berlin’s pivot towards helping Kyiv sustain and expand its own war production capacity for the long term. The Liutyi’s serial production marks not just a technological milestone for Ukraine’s drone industry but also a geopolitical statement about Europe’s evolving role in enabling Ukraine to wage deep strikes against critical Russian assets, shifting the balance in the contest for range and resilience.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
On July 1, 2025, it was announced that Germany will fund the production of 500 An-196 Liutyi long-range drones for Ukraine through a new contract. Amid intensifying efforts to reinforce Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities, Berlin has taken a decisive step by signing its first contract to fund the mass production of Ukrainian-made Liutyi drones. This move reflects a deepening partnership between Germany and Ukraine’s defense sectors, expanding beyond traditional military aid to direct investment in domestic production. The news, as reported by Russian Tass and Ukrainian Militarnyi, signals a significant shift in Europe’s support posture and comes at a moment when long-range capabilities are crucial for Ukraine’s operational reach.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Strategically, Berlin’s funding of Liutyi production demonstrates an emerging European willingness to back not just arms transfers but also indigenous Ukrainian manufacturing (Picture source: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine )
The An-196 Liutyi, is a Ukrainian long-range kamikaze drone designed for strategic strikes deep behind enemy lines. This UAV can carry a 50 kg explosive warhead and has an effective flight range of approximately 1,200 kilometers, enabling it to reach critical Russian infrastructure such as oil refineries and military plants. Technically, the Liutyi benefits from a streamlined aerodynamic design that improves radar evasion and fuel efficiency, while its modern guidance system enhances target accuracy. Its unit cost is estimated to be twice that of Ukraine’s earlier Bober drone, highlighting its enhanced capabilities and range.
The development of the Liutyi drone emerged from Ukraine’s urgent need to counter Russia’s deep rear logistical networks. Operationally, the drone has already proven its effectiveness, with reports confirming its use in strikes like the attack on the Kupol plant in Izhevsk. Ukrainian engineers have refined the original concept by integrating lighter composite materials and extended-range fuel tanks. This evolution mirrors the iterative development seen in similar systems like Iran’s Shahed series, which also started with short-range versions and evolved into drones with regional strike reach.
Compared to older loitering munitions like the Bober or Russia’s Lancet drones, the Liutyi stands out for its superior range, larger warhead, and improved stealth profile. Unlike the Bober, which was limited to under 600 km, the Liutyi’s operational radius effectively doubles its strike options, while its cost remains significantly lower than equivalent cruise missiles. This positions the Liutyi as a cost-effective alternative for persistent pressure on Russian critical infrastructure far from the frontlines.
Strategically, Berlin’s funding of Liutyi production demonstrates an emerging European willingness to back not just arms transfers but also indigenous Ukrainian manufacturing. By doing so, Germany aims to reduce delivery times and support Ukraine’s defense industrial base amid high attrition rates for drone stockpiles. Geopolitically, this decision may heighten tensions with Moscow, which has repeatedly warned that increased long-range strike support prolongs the conflict. Militarily, this new capacity enables Ukraine to stretch Russia’s air defense assets thin over vast areas, potentially forcing Moscow to divert resources away from the front lines.
Financially, the project is reported to be worth a “three-digit million sum,” according to German Die Welt, marking a major investment in Ukraine’s domestic UAV sector. This is Germany’s first contract specifically for long-range drones, following Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s commitment to strengthen Ukraine’s stand-off strike options. Sweden has already paved the way by funding a similar production line in November 2024. Germany, now the second-largest donor after the US, has reinforced this approach by opening the door to future joint ventures, potentially extending to drone-launched missile systems like the Bars.
This latest agreement underscores Berlin’s pivot towards helping Kyiv sustain and expand its own war production capacity for the long term. The Liutyi’s serial production marks not just a technological milestone for Ukraine’s drone industry but also a geopolitical statement about Europe’s evolving role in enabling Ukraine to wage deep strikes against critical Russian assets, shifting the balance in the contest for range and resilience.
