The German government commissions Rheinmetall to supply the SurveilSpire reconnaissance system to Ukraine. The system is used for reconnaissance and countering enemy drones.
The contract value for the system is in the double-digit million euro range. SurveilSpire was developed by the Estonian company DefSecIntel. The result of the collaboration is a reconnaissance system that features autopiloted mini-drones and a command and control system in addition to mobile surveillance towers with day and night vision camera equipment. In addition, corresponding transport vehicles are part of the scope of supply. The industrial partner from Estonia is responsible for the surveillance towers, while Rheinmetall is in charge of logistics. The systems are used in particular to monitor sections of terrain with as few personnel as possible. The system can also provide a 5-G network.
The low manpower requirement is due to the fact that the system is operated automatically once it is set up. Three people are needed to set up the system. The system also has radio links (4G and Starlink) for video transmission to a mobile headquarters. Solar cells enable self-sufficient operation.
In addition to the ground-based hardware, autopiloted reconnaissance drones are also part of the system. These perform patrol or mission flights.
