Germany has reportedly allocated €25 million to procure as many as 747 Twister reconnaissance drones from Quantum Systems, selected as the successor to the aging Aladin reconnaissance UAV. The first batch includes 147 drones and related services costing roughly €16 million, with the remaining systems available as optional purchases under a broader framework agreement valued at around €70 million. Quantum Systems can deliver approximately 250 drones per year, with the ability to scale up production if required. Deployment is unlikely before 2027 because the system must complete qualification by the Bundeswehr. The procurement initiative stems from a June 2024 tender to replace the Aladin, which has been operational for nearly 20 years supporting close-range ISR tasks. Twister will ultimately serve all three branches of the German Armed Forces. The drone features a 3.8-kg maximum takeoff weight, operating altitude of 3,800 meters, 15-km reconnaissance range, 90-minute endurance, and vertical takeoff/landing capability. It is also engineered to function in environments with compromised GPS signals.
