Merz was accompanied by German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and a delegation of German business and defence executives. The delegation included representatives from companies such as Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence and Quantum Systems, reflecting Germany’s broader effort to deepen industrial and military cooperation with Ukraine.
During the visit, Merz viewed drone technology developed by Quantum Systems and met company representatives, including CEO Steven Kruck. The company has been working with Ukrainian partners on unmanned systems and technologies designed to counter increasingly sophisticated Russian drone attacks.
A major focus of Germany-Ukraine defence cooperation is the rapid development and production of interceptor drones capable of engaging Russian jet-powered attack drones. Quantum Systems has tested such technology, while Russia has increasingly deployed high-speed drones against Ukrainian civilian and military infrastructure.
Earlier this year, Quantum Systems and Ukrainian drone manufacturer WIY Drones announced a joint venture, Quantum WIY Industries, aimed at producing the Strila interceptor drone and related air-defence technologies. The wider cooperation is also expected to include the development and production of long-range weapons and associated software.
Merz’s visit came as Germany announced additional support for Ukraine. The package includes €1 billion in military assistance and €350 million for repairs to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Germany and Ukraine also signed a series of agreements covering defence cooperation, weapons production and other areas of economic partnership.
The German chancellor’s visit took place amid renewed Russian attacks on Kyiv. Air-raid sirens and explosions were reported during the day, while a Russian strike damaged part of the Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River, according to Kyiv authorities.
Merz also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reiterated Germany’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. He called for an end to the war while stressing that Germany’s support for Kyiv is also connected to European security.
The visit to Quantum Systems underlined the increasing importance of drone warfare in the conflict and the growing role of joint German-Ukrainian defence production. For Berlin and Kyiv, expanding domestic production of drones and air-defence technologies is becoming an important part of their broader security cooperation.
