Germany's Bundestag Budget Committee (the parliamentary body overseeing federal spending) has approved a series of major defence procurement packages, including a framework contract worth up to €2.4 billion with arms manufacturer Rheinmetall to supply combat drones to the Bundeswehr. The so-called "loitering munitions" — drones that circle a target area until directed to strike, destroying themselves on impact — will be deployed as part of Germany's Lithuania Brigade, a 5,000-strong NATO unit stationed in Lithuania to defend the alliance's eastern flank against Russian aggression. The committee also greenlit upgrades to F124 Sachsen-class air defence frigates, expanded infantry equipment systems, and additional maritime rescue drones for use in the North and Baltic seas.