Ukraine to receive Rheinmetall LUNA NG recon drones
A LUNA system comprises five UAVs, two ground control stations, maintenance and repair equipment, two launchers, and two recovery systems. (Image: Rheinmetall)
Ukrainian defence forces will this year receive Rheinmetall LUNA NG short-range reconnaissance UAS, an order described by the company as ‘worth a low double-digit million Euro amount’.
LUNA NG (Unbemannte Nahaufklärungs-Ausstattung der Nächsten Generation or unmanned short-range reconnaissance equipment, next generation) has been ordered as part of an assistance package for Ukraine which was unveiled by the German government in July 2023.
A system comprises five UAVs, two ground control stations, maintenance and repair equipment, two launchers, and two recovery systems. For this order, the entire system is truck-mounted with a swap body system made by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles.
The lightweight UAV can remain aloft for more than 12 hours and when fitted with optional SATCOM equipment has a datalink range of up to 300km. It has not been disclosed if the Ukrainian systems have such a capability but it is very likely. Without SATCOM, the range is believed to be 150km.
Related Articles
Pakistan Navy inducts ATR 72 aircraft and Luna NG UAVs
Rheinmetall poised to acquire UAV manufacturer
The German Army ordered four LUNA NG systems in July 2017 under a €63 million ($71.85 million) contract, which also included training and support services to meet the German Army’s High-Efficiency UAV for Medium-Range Reconnaissance (HUSAR) programme. On the basis of this contract value it is likely only two systems are being supplied to Ukraine.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
LUNA NG (Ukraine Aid) [Germany]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![USAF’s T-7A Red Hawk programme progresses with low-rate production to start in 2026]()
USAF’s T-7A Red Hawk programme progresses with low-rate production to start in 2026
The T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer for the US Air Force reaching Milestone C is the first step towards production for the first batch of 14 aircraft, with training expected to start by 2028.
-
![“A dominant force”: empowering Europe’s airborne ISR in a new era]()
“A dominant force”: empowering Europe’s airborne ISR in a new era
European militaries face a new security landscape, with the proliferation of drones, theatre ballistic missiles and other threats boosting requirements for airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and related systems. For L3Harris, missionised business jets are central to meeting these needs, providing capability and flexibility in a cost-effective package.
-
![Japan’s Terra Drone expands Ukrainian ties to break into global defence market]()
Japan’s Terra Drone expands Ukrainian ties to break into global defence market
Following its investment into WinnyLab, Terra Drone unveiled a new long-range fixed-wing addition to its interceptor drone portfolio as it seeks to bring combat-proven technology back to Japan and expand into global export markets.
-
![April air forces review: Next-gen platform push ties in with fleet modernisation plans]()
April air forces review: Next-gen platform push ties in with fleet modernisation plans
Countries releasing their spending budgets over the past month have placed an emphasis on advancing next-generation crewed programmes as well as upgrades and expansion plans for air combat and aerial refuelling capabilities.
