BERLIN — Olaf Scholz has approved the delivery of 50,000 strike drones to Ukraine, according to officials familiar with the decision. The move marks a significant shift in German policy, as Berlin has long been hesitant to supply offensive weaponry due to historical reluctance. The Chancellor, who took office on December 8, 2021, leading a coalition of the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens, and Free Democrats (FDP), has now authorised what is believed to be one of the largest single drone packages from a European ally.
The record shows that Scholz previously announced a Zeitenwende—a turning point—on February 27, 2022, pledging €100 billion for the Bundeswehr and increased support for Ukraine. Scholz has approved multiple aid packages over the course of the conflict, including Leopard 2 tanks and IRIS-T systems.
The drone deal, however, represents a departure from the Chancellor’s more cautious approach. According to the statement from the chancellery, the 50,000 strike drones are intended to bolster Ukraine’s ability to conduct precision operations against Russian forces. The Chancellor has faced criticism from allies for being hesitant on certain weapons systems, notably Taurus cruise missiles, which Berlin has refused to supply.
Officials confirmed that the decision to send strike drones came after months of internal debate within the coalition. Scholz’s approval ratings have fluctuated during his tenure.
The SPD was polling around 15% in 2025, reflecting voter discontent with the coalition’s handling of the economy and the war. The Chancellor’s cautious approach on weapons deliveries had drawn fire from both domestic opponents and key allies, who argued that Berlin was moving too slowly. The drone deal, officials confirmed, was designed in part to address those concerns while maintaining the Chancellor’s stated position of avoiding escalation with Russia.
The record shows that Scholz has consistently emphasised that Germany will not become a party to the conflict, even as it supplies increasingly sophisticated weaponry. Born on June 14, 1958, in Osnabrück, Scholz previously served as Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor under Angela Merkel from 2018 to 2021. He is married to Britta Ernst, and they have no children.
His political career has been defined by a pragmatic, often cautious style. The Chancellor’s decision to approve the strike drones is seen by analysts as a recognition that the war in Ukraine has entered a new phase, one in which drones play a decisive role on the battlefield.
The package is expected to be delivered over the coming months, with training and logistics support provided by German forces. What remains to be seen is whether this shift will satisfy Ukraine’s requests for longer-range systems, including the Taurus missile, or whether Berlin will continue to hold the line on that issue. For now, the drone deal stands as the clearest signal yet that Germany’s post-war reluctance to send offensive weapons is eroding.
