Signal No. 2 · Bundestag loitering-munition: control-by-instalment · 25 February 2026
Haushaltsausschuss approves EUR 540 million for Helsing/Stark loitering munitions under Maßgabebeschluss — Berlin buying drones by instalment while the Bundestag retains line-item control over each drawdown.
Großwald Signal · No. 2
Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Bundestag budget committee approves EUR 540 million loitering munition contracts, opening EUR 4.4 billion framework with parliamentary control by instalment
DEZ AI ESUT, 25 Feb · Westdeutsche Zeitung, 25 Feb · t-online, 25 Feb
The Haushaltsausschuss approved initial orders of approximately EUR 270 million each for loitering munitions from Helsing (HX-2) and Stark Defence (Virtus) on 25 February — the first drawdown from a framework valued at up to EUR 4.4 billion for a five-digit number of systems through 2029. The committee imposed a Maßgabebeschluss (binding resolution) capping purchases at EUR 1 billion per manufacturer and requiring renewed parliamentary approval before further disbursement. The Green party raised concerns about US investor Peter Thiel's stake in Stark Defence; Defence Minister Pistorius stated that while he shared concerns about the individual, the relevant question was corporate governance. The first unit to receive the systems is Panzerbrigade 45 in Lithuania.
Signals
Coalition of the Willing convenes in Kyiv; UK announces largest Russia sanctions package
INT DIP GOV.UK, 24 Feb · Élysée, 24 Feb
The Coalition of the Willing, convened in Kyiv on 24 February by Macron, Starmer, and Merz with over 30 leaders, reaffirmed security guarantees including the planned Multi National Force framework. Starmer announced the UK's largest sanctions package: more than 300 Russian energy companies and 48 shadow fleet vessels targeted to reduce oil revenues. Merz stated the EU's EUR 90 billion loan must reach Ukraine by April.
Procurement
AIR NH90 further development and logistical support
Germany · EUR 25M+ initial · Approved 25 Feb by Haushaltsausschuss
Extends the troubled platform rather than replacing it — the Readiness Delta between declared helicopter capability and actual fleet availability.
SEA Evolved Seasparrow Missile Block 2
Germany · EUR 25M+ initial · Approved 25 Feb by Haushaltsausschuss
Sustains frigate air defence pending F127 programme delivery in the 2030s.
GRD Jim Compact thermal imaging (extended range)
Germany · EUR 25M+ initial · Approved 25 Feb by Haushaltsausschuss
Infantry sensor modernisation within the broader soldier system upgrade.
Exercises
Dynamic Manta 26 · Central Mediterranean · 23 Feb – 6 Mar
Day three. 10 nations exercising ASW under SNMG2. Submarines, MPA, and surface combatants off Sicily.
Steadfast Dart 26 · Northern Germany / Baltic · through 18 Mar
~10,000 personnel, 11 nations. ARF deployment under JFC Brunssum. Turkish Bayraktar TB3 operations from TCG Anadolu ongoing — first NATO shipborne UCAV operations.
Cold Response 26 · Northern Norway · field phase 9–19 Mar
25,000 personnel, 14 nations. Norwegian-US HQ at Reitan. Allied forces deploying. Largest NATO Arctic exercise this year.
EnforceTac 2026 · Nuremberg · concluded 25 Feb
~1,300 exhibitors, 20,000 visitors. Chancellor Merz held patronage — the first German chancellor to sponsor the event, signalling the political mainstreaming of the defence industrial base.
Forward look
Hungary veto remains unresolved (reported Signal No. 1); EU foreign ministers convene crisis meeting 26 February. Croatia's Adriatic pipeline emerging as potential Druzhba alternative.
EU Industrial Accelerator Act presentation scheduled 26 February; "Buy European" provisions will set SAFE disbursement terms — the Conversion Gap between announced spending and actual procurement policy.
FCAS negotiations stalled; end-of-February deadline approaching. If missed, confirms the Conversion Gap between Franco-German defence cooperation rhetoric and industrial reality.
Cold Response 26 field phase begins 9 March. 25,000 personnel, 14 nations, northern Norway.
