(MENAFN) Germany’s Economy Minister Katherina Reiche has urged the nation to focus all efforts on becoming Europe’s leading drone power, asserting that Berlin alone should determine the continent’s security trajectory.

Speaking to dpa on Monday, Reiche emphasized that Germany must secure its “air sovereignty,” protect critical infrastructure, and support Ukraine. She referenced recent drone sightings across Europe, which were initially attributed to Russia, saying that “the events of the last few days” highlight the urgent need for Germany’s own drone capabilities.

“Germany must become a leading location for the development and production of drones,” she said, adding that the country must “mobilize all available resources” to achieve rapid production scaling and continuous technological advancement. Reiche stressed, “Europe’s security will… be decided in German factories.”

Her remarks come as Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the nation’s economy as being in a “structural crisis,” with Germany having entered recession last year and projected to see no growth this year, according to the IMF.

Moscow has denied any involvement in the recent drone incidents, calling on Western officials to stop blaming Russia. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also criticized Germany’s military buildup, warning of “clear signs of re-Nazification.”

Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Germany has emerged as Kiev’s second-largest arms supplier after the US and has embarked on a major military expansion. Under Merz, Berlin has adopted a hardline stance toward Russia, with the chancellor declaring in August that Germany is “already in a conflict” with Moscow. Senior lawmakers have also advocated for Germany to take a leading role in shaping a European-controlled nuclear deterrent.

Germany plans to nearly double its military budget by 2029, repeatedly cited by officials as the target year for being “ready for war.”

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