The drone project between Mercedes-Benz and the Munich-based startup Tytan serves as a prime example of the automaker's intended expansion into the military-grade vehicle sector. Currently, the share of such vehicles, which the brand has offered for decades, remains below 1% of total sales, Production Chief Michael Schiebe explained on Thursday. "However, we see this as a strategic field of development that we will actively shape, both independently and in cooperation with partners." The rugged G-Class SUV, for instance, has been utilized as a base vehicle for military use for 45 years, most recently in a new version of the "Wolf" for the German Armed Forces.

Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius recently characterized the business with defense and security sector clients as a niche market with growth potential. Following a letter of intent announced at this week's ILA Berlin Air Show, the Stuttgart-based manufacturer plans to build an anti-drone system with Tytan. Mercedes-Benz would provide the base vehicle: the G-Class SUV and the Sprinter van, the latter of which has also seen specialized versions for several years. The modifications, such as a flatbed for mounting drone launchers or equipping the Sprinter as a command center for controlling interceptor drones, are handled by specialists like the body manufacturer BINZ and the drone experts at Tytan. "Mercedes-Benz deliberately acts as a base vehicle provider, not as a systems integrator," the automaker explained.

(Report by Ilona Wissenbach, edited by Ralf Banser. For inquiries, please contact the editorial management at frankfurt.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com)