H145M for Montenegro: Germany's first G2G export
An agreement with signal effect: at ILA 2026, Germany opens a new chapter of defence export policy, from government to government.
Deals · ILA Berlin 2026 Photo: Messe Berlin / Johannes Zappe Four helicopters, one precedent
Germany and Montenegro sign an agreement on government-to-government sales at ILA, starting with four Airbus H145M.
Among the industry agreements of ILA Berlin 2026, one stood out because it was signed not by companies but by two states: Germany and Montenegro agreed on planned government-to-government sales of defence equipment at the show. The first concrete transaction: four Airbus H145M helicopters for Montenegro.
It marks Germany's first defence export from government to government, managed by a newly established G2G office within the Federal Ministry of Defence. Signed in the presence of Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and his Montenegrin counterpart Dragan Krapovic, the agreement also saw Montenegro join the European Sky Shield Initiative as its 24th nation.
ILA as a stage for governments
With 330 delegations from around 60 countries, ILA has long been a stage for states as well. The Montenegro agreement shows where that can lead: where governments, armed forces and industry share one location for five days, conversations turn into contracts, including between capitals.