Jürgen Zacharias
Editor-in-Chief
Jürgen Zacharias is editor-in-chief of Unmanned Magazine and Militär Aktuell. What fascinates him most about military topics is the blend of technology, strategy and geomilitary developments. “And we try to present this mix to our readers in a readable way, with a balance of closeness and distance and with quality in text and images.”
Latest stories25 stories
Counter-drone defence with four layers: Swiss LOCUS programme relies on domestic industry
Instead of fighting cheap drones with expensive missiles, Switzerland is relying on low-cost, modular counter-drone defence in its LOCUS programme. Demonstrators already exist; trials of the complete system will follow in spring 2027.
Drone ecosystem: first Drohnenforum Schweiz in Thun calls for more speed and less bureaucracy
How can technological innovation be turned into military capability faster? The first Drohnenforum Schweiz in Thun focused on building a drone ecosystem, on new models of cooperation – and on blunt words from Chief of the Armed Forces Roos and Armaments Chief Loher.
Defence procurement: Swiss Armaments Chief Urs Loher calls for a rethink – “too slow along the entire chain”
Tactics change within weeks, procurement programmes take years: at the first Sicherheitsforum Drohnen Schweiz in Thun, Armaments Chief Urs Loher explained why defence procurement needs new models – and what role the “Eiger” project is to play.
All stories
Swiss Armed Forces: Lieutenant General Roos calls for a radical rethink – “enough books written”
Billions for drones, a new drone battalion – and still not enough: at the first Sicherheitsforum Drohnen Schweiz in Thun, Lieutenant General Benedikt Roos called on the Swiss Armed Forces to show less perfectionism, less bureaucracy and more speed.
Steyr Motors in Red Cat’s sights: US drone group offers 39 euros per share
Rumours have turned into a concrete offer: Red Cat Holdings is making a voluntary public takeover offer for Steyr Motors through a Vienna-based subsidiary. A majority of the shares and regulatory approvals are required; closing is planned for the first half of 2027.
Unmanned systems in the Ukraine war: Graz panel exposes Europe’s lag in speed
Unmanned systems emerge in Ukraine within months; in Europe it takes years. At the Graz Systems & Vision Forum, the Austrian Armed Forces, Ukraine’s National Guard, TU Munich and Apex discussed how technology becomes operational faster – and where Europe must start.
Unmanned combat aircraft on the fast track: GKN Aerospace and Sweden test a new development path
At Malmen Air Base, GKN Aerospace showed the mock-up and turbojet of its UAV demonstrator for the first time. For Sweden, this is about more than an unmanned combat aircraft: faster processes, low-cost manufacturing and European supply chains.
Counter-UAS for critical infrastructure: EKO Cobra, ORF, Frequentis and Red Bull Ring at DroneVation
Protecting critical infrastructure is no longer conceivable without counter-UAS – practitioners at DroneVation & Defence 2026 in Vienna agreed. They reported on the Eurovision Song Contest, the Red Bull Ring and Ukraine; Austria is drafting a national strategy.
Unmanned systems: Secretary-General Arnold Kammel calls for an end to silo thinking at DroneVation
Unmanned systems, drones and AI demand more than new procurement programmes: at DroneVation & Defence 2026 in Vienna, Secretary-General Arnold Kammel called for a new mindset – and much closer cooperation between politics, armed forces, industry and research.
Counter-UAS on wheels: GDELS shows Pandur with laser, radar and Valhalla turret at Eurosatory
Acoustic sensors, a high-energy laser from Cilas and the Mangart 25 turret: at Eurosatory, GDELS combined counter-UAS capabilities on a Pandur 6×6. Whether this will lead to procurement remains open – Slovenia is said to be very interested.
Counter-drone ammunition: SwissP Defence adds .300 Blackout and .50 BMG to Shatter4K
Two new calibres for the ammunition family from Thun: at Eurosatory 2026, SwissP Defence is showing Shatter4K variants for compact and heavy weapons for the first time. The counter-drone rounds break up into four sub-projectiles after leaving the barrel.
Drone warfare: Colonel Markus Reisner draws lessons from Ukraine at DroneVation 2026
Death zone, fibre-optic drones, barbed wire and weakened precision weapons: in Vienna, Colonel Markus Reisner outlined how drone warfare is overturning the conduct of war – and why armed forces that fail to learn will be surprised tomorrow.