German army prepares to develop deep-strike drones, Handelsblatt reports
BERLIN - The German armed forces are preparing to develop long-range combat drones capable of striking targets deep in enemy territory, the Handelsblatt newspaper reported on Monday.
Three consortia are working on concrete concepts after the Luftwaffe airforce sent a request for deep-strike drones to leading defence companies and startups, the report said.
According to the report, Airbus Defence is contributing to the project alongside U.S. startup Kratos, while Germany's Rheinmetall has teamed up with drone specialist Anduril. Munich-based startup Helsing is also involved, the report said.
The German defence ministry confirmed preparations for such a project to Handelsblatt, saying that initial talks had taken place but that no formal tender had been issued.
The ministry and the companies mentioned did not respond to emailed requests for comment from Reuters. REUTERS

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Straits Times
2 hours ago
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Straits Times
3 hours ago
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She subsequently opened a commercial kitchen in Sembawang and the store relocated to a bigger space in Joo Chiat Road. 'It was good to have a proper kitchen,' says Ms Soo. 'I used to operate from a tiny makeshift kitchen at the back of the shophouse, cutting, marinating and dehydrating meats.' She adds that with the larger facility, production capacity has increased substantially. However, she continues to keep the scale of the food production small so everything remains fresh. 'We are constantly making new batches as the shelf life of our pet food is very short, about six to eight months depending on the product,' she says. Prices are between $13 and $33 for dog treats and ready-to-eat meals. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Starting a pet food business never crossed Ms Soo's mind. After graduating from the National University of Singapore with a mechanical engineering degree in 2004, she convinced her parents to let her pursue her dream of becoming a jockey. 'I've always loved animals. So, I thought, like, why not be a job?' says Ms Soo, who is single. This passion led her to New Zealand, where she spent almost six years training to be a jockey. She also took on other jobs at cafes, orchards and canning factories. During those years, she also found time to earn two chef certificates, one in general culinary arts and another in pastry. However, being a jockey was not meant to be because she was over the strict weight limit required for the profession. After returning to Singapore , she volunteered at animal shelters, drawing on her experience with horses to help rehabilitate dogs. It was there when she learnt how limited and heavily processed most pet food options were, particularly for dogs with specific dietary needs or preferences. While some of the products are sold in boxes, pet owners are encouraged to scoop what they need and pack the treats in their own containers. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Sustainability plays a big role at TDG. Though some products are sold in boxes, pet owners are encouraged to take along their own containers and fill them up from the bulk bins. Ms Soo makes a conscious effort to choose ingredients from certified sustainable sources, such as wild-caught Atlantic cod and pollock, which are Marine Stewardship Council-certified fish. She also takes the 'entire cut' approach. For instance, slices of pork loin become jerkies, while off-cuts or ends are minced into pork cubes. Fish bones become broth that are used for seasonal creations, such as Chinese New Year soups and National Day recipes. Fruit, vegetables and meat scraps are dropped off at a local permaculture site every other month for composting, turning food waste into nutrient-rich soil. With the business expanding to include both cooked and raw meals, catering to the evolving preferences of pet owners, Ms Soo hopes to open another outlet, possibly in western Singapore. 'We have been looking for a second shop for almost a year, but rental costs are incredibly high,' she says. It has been rewarding for her to see customers grow alongside TDG. 'We see them at different stages, some from puppies to adult dogs, others from adults to seniors,' says Ms Soo. She adds that her dream is to have a cafe where pets can have their own omakase experience. For now, though, her happy place is in the kitchen, where she concocts new recipes and creates nutritious food for pets.